Clever Operatives will recognize the Bordigioni name from last month’s featured Anadel Estate Winery Red Blend. That wine was one of our hottest-sellers in recent memory, and our Operatives have been clamoring for a follow-on from winemaker Dean Bordigioni. Today’s Los Chamizal Zin is a steal of a deal on one rich, flavor-packed Zinfandel.

Light doesn’t pass through this dense Zinfandel with garnet coloration at the center with a ruby edge. On the nose, there is dusty bramble, blackberry, subtle gingerbread, vanilla extract, and cassis. Intense wild blackberry leads on the palate with currant, cassis, and plum compote there as well. Barrel notes include salted caramel and allspice. A hedonistic fruit-forward Zinfandel that packs a punch, with ample tannin and heat to drive it home. This would be fantastic with Korean BBQ, like short ribs with pepper sauce.

Los Chamizal’s pristine Vineyards are situated in the mountains of southern Sonoma County. It’s a beautiful terraced vineyard is delicately carved into steeply sloping hillsides that reach to 800 ft. in elevation, up the Mayacamas mountain range. The vineyard enjoys a warm climate through the day which promotes even ripening, with the vines experiencing cooler evening air that preserves higher acidity levels in the grapes. These grapevines have struggled to grow for years - which ensures low yields of unequaled concentration and flavors.

We’ve really come to respect Dean Bordigioni as a winemaker. Dean seems to have a keen sense of just what it takes to successfully shepherd a wine from vineyard to bottle. His wines have a style that just speaks to us, and we’re really pleased to be able to share Dean’s wines with you.

Cheers!