To highlight these old vine treasures, six winemakers have teamed up under the Lodi Native umbrella, producing six different single-vineyard Zinfandels (most of them from Lodi’s Mokelumne River appellation). The idea is to let these old vines speak for themselves about their terroir. The wines are all fermented with native yeasts, and they get no new oak, fining or filtration. The bottles are sold as a $180 six-pack from the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center. Together, they comprise a master class in old vine Zinfandel goodness.
During a recent online video tasting, Stuart Spencer, winemaker at Lodi’s St. Amant Winery, said the Lodi Native team hopes to elevate the region as a whole and broaden the picture of what’s being made in Lodi. And these winemakers have all sorts of ancient vine Zinfandel sites to choose from, with many historic vineyards remaining “undiscovered,” Spencer said. “There are really some treasures out here in these acres of Zinfandel vines.”
I was really impressed with this project’s first vintage, 2012, and the Lodi Native crew has done it again in 2013. If you’re used to candied, bruiser, oak-slathered Zins, you may be surprised by the freshness, vibrancy and silkiness of these old vine beauties.
I received these wines as trade samples and tasted them sighted.
2013 Fields Family Wines Zinfandel Lodi Native Stampede Vineyard - California, Central Valley, Clements Hills
Winemaker, Ryan Sherman (Fields Family Wines)
Growers, Jeff & John Perlegos
The pale ruby colored immediately tells you that this is a different kind of Zin. The nose is bright and floral with red apple peels, wild strawberries, dusty earth and crushed charcoal. On the palate, fine tannins, accessible but still nice and drying, medium acid. Tart red currants and wild strawberries, red apple peel, the fruit has some spicy clove, black tea, dusty soil and charcoal accents. Smooth, even elegant. Long, refined, very deep but the lightest in style and alcohol. From a sandy loam vineyard planted in the 1940s, most of the fruit goes into Bedrock Wine Co. bottles, but glad Ryan Sherman got some of this juice. (91 points)
2013 Macchia Zinfandel Lodi Native Schmiedt Ranch - California, Central Valley, Lodi Mokelumne RiverWinemaker, Tim Holdener (Macchia Wines)
Grower, Ross Schmiedt. Managed by Markus Bokisch of Bokisch Ranches.
Juicy ruby colored. Bright and ripe, blackberries, strawberry jam, gushing blueberries and summer plums, lots of fruit but also some deeper violets, plum cake and earthiness underneath. The biggest and most full-throttle of the bunch at 15.9% alcohol, this wine is rich and chewy on the palate. Dark plums, blackberries, blueberries, notes of coffee, sweet violets, wet clay. Jammy but not baked, the lack of strong oak flavors saves this wine and lets the more nuanced floral, nut and rocky elements in the wine come out. A bit of heat on the finish, but a really delicious wine. From sandier soils, this vineyard was first planted in 1918. (89 points)
2013 Maley Brothers Zinfandel Lodi Native Wegat Vineyard - California, Central Valley, Lodi Mokelumne River
Winemaker, Chad Joseph (Maley Brothers)
Grower, Todd Maley
A deeper ruby color. I like the nose: dried berries, currants, elements of loam and spice. Bold approach on the palate, chewy yet silky tannic structure, actually showing some refreshing acid in a rather low dose though. Black cherries, red and black currants, some dried blueberry. Interesting notes of nutshell, loam, pencil shavings and black tea. Loamy, rich but very pretty. Richer, bold, but also really silky and smooth. From head-trained vines planted in 1958. (90 points)
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| Gnarly old vines, sandy soils, lots of sun, Soucie Vineyard is home to some great grapes. |
Winemaker, Layne Montgomery (m2 Wines)
Grower, Kevin Soucie
Bright ruby colored. Aromas of rich red berries, gushing with juicy cherries, strawberries, some cola and coffee, along with dried roses. Chewy structure, fleshy tannins, some acid to help tame the richness. Jammy black cherries and raspberries, along with spicy notes of clove and ginger. Add in some complex elements of loam, clay, leaves, roasted nuts, cracked pepper, barbecue sauce and sarsaparilla. Chewy, warm and rich, begs for cold weather, but a very delicious wine that opens up a lot with floral and spicy complexity. From a vineyard of fine silt planted in 1918. (91 points)
2013 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Lodi Native Marian's Vineyard - California, Central Valley, Lodi Mokelumne River
Winemaker, Stuart Spencer (St. Amant Winery)
Growers, Jerry & Bruce Fry (Mohr-Fry Ranches)
Vibrant ruby color. Nose of roasted plums, rich berries, red licorice, some tobacco and nutshells. Silky approach to the tannins, rich waves of fruit (dried cranberries, blackberries, blueberries), I also get elements of red licorice, sweet pipe tobacco, clove, rose potpourri. The wine has a nutty complexity, with earthy, clay and toasted almond elements. A full and chewy wine but not cloying at all. Maintains refinement and lots of complexity underneath to sift through. From vines originally planted way back in 1901. (89 points)
2013 McCay Cellars Zinfandel Lodi Native Trulux Vineyard - California, Central Valley, Lodi Mokelumne River
Winemaker, Michael McCay (McCay Cellars)
Grower, Keith Watts
Lighter ruby color. Bright red fruits on the nose (plums, raspberries). Almost Pinot-like with notes of roses, tobacco, sweet rhubarb pie, I also get hints of dusty, loamy, charcoal notes underneath. Showing restraint and elegance, the tannins are fine and silky and the acid comes out to keep the wine fresh. Ripe and bold but creamy fruit (black and red cherries, raspberries, plums), I also get complex notes of sweet spices, clove, dried potpourri, sweet herbs, cola, rhubarb. Rich texture yet maintains elegance, a very pretty wine made from a vineyard planted in 1940. (90 points)
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