Mission Codename Family Ties
Today we bring you one of the OG rockstars of Paso Robles. The Beckett family has been throwing down awesome wines since 1988 and specializes in Zinfandel- the bold and beautiful kind!
Wine Spectator has called them among the top 100 wineries in the world. Gotta say, we agree.
While Doug and Nancy Beckett founded and spearheaded the winery for decades, their sons, Josh and Jake, came back into the fold in 2019 after much success with Chronic Cellars. The prodigal sons had returned!
This whole vintage was great for the family all with big sexy points. The 2021 Bailey Vineyard Zin comes from the Adelaida District in Paso, the mountainous wonderland known for its steep rocky slopes, limestone soils and ancient marine sediments. Also known for its sexy-as-can-be Zinfandels!
As Antonio Galloni’s Vinous recently reported, Peachy has been on the up and up: “Brothers Josh and Jake Beckett took the reins of their family’s iconic winery (established in 1988) in June 2019, but their father and the winery’s founder, Doug, is still very a much presence. In the early 2000s, I had a number of fine wines here, mostly Zinfandels, but the Becketts have been seriously stepping up their game in recent vintages, especially since 2015. I find a greater degree of polish now, as well as brighter fruit and better tannin integration than a decade ago… showcasing energy and balance, even though there’s plenty of ripeness to the wines as well.”
This one is bold, elegant, and worth waaaaay more than the $25 we’re dropping it to. Dark fruits and playful herbs on the nose. This Zin hits all the right notes. Flavors of fennel, baking spices, dark cherry and a mélange of mixed red and black berries are wrapped up in rich fine tannins and layers of minerality. And the finish lasts for daaaays!
Rarely seen outside of the winery’s inner circles, we didn’t get that much of this beauty, so you better get on it before our agents have at it. Seriously, we’ve all got cases hidden for ourselves.
A whopping 55% OFF from one of the original Zin zealots! Get it!
93 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous “The 2021 Zinfandel Bailey is intense, more savory than sweet. Stone dust and dried flowers complicate a burst of crushed blackberries and sage. This is dark and more grippy than expected, yet pleasantly so. A solid core of mineral-infused red and black fruits swirl throughout. Gently tannic, the 2021 leaves the palate reeling with youthful tension, and a minty freshness. Drink 2025-2032.”
92 Points – Wine Enthusiast “Crisp red plum and dark strawberry aromas are lifted by minty chaparral scents on the nose of this bottling. The palate is clean and direct, offering bright and fresh flavors of strawberry and watermelon, with ample spice adding to the easygoing style.”
What the Winery Says
2021 Bailey Vineyard Paso Robles Zinfandel
- Winemaker
- Drew Phillips
- Varietal
- 100% Zinfandel
- Vintage
- 2021
- Alcohol
- 16.0%
- Appellation
- Adelaida District, Paso Robles, Central Coast
- Vineyard
- Bailey Vineyard
- Harvest Date
- September 9, 2021
- TA
- 6.5 g/L
- pH
- 3.48
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 25% new French oak