Zialena Winery Zinfandel Alexander Valley 2018

The Mazzoni family is essentially Alexander Valley’s First Family. This stalwart producer has grown grapes on their 120-acre estate for nearly a century and has been providing fruit for some of California’s most famous producers over the decades. This zinfandel is a revelation – classically spiced, berry-driven, drink-me-up deliciousness that we happen to have at, by far and away, the best price ANYWHERE!

Sonoma’s Alexander Valley stands just over the Mayacamas Mountains from Calistoga. The Mazzoni family purchased their 120-acre estate in 1931, and three generations of farming later – they’ve become a Sonoma institution. They more recently added a state-of-the-art winery and tasting room – and you should certainly add them to your list of wineries to visit. Over the years they’ve managed vineyards for Thomas Rivers Brown and Littorai, supplied fruit to Sonoma icons like RIDGE, Jordan, and Jackson Family, and just a few years back, started making their own wines named for their Great Aunt “Zia”.

This 2018 vintage zinfandel showcases a remarkable growing season, and their heritage Mazzoni clone thrived in the warm Alexander Valley climate. The fruit is all fermented into their concrete fermentation tanks, a technique brought over from the old world that imbibes the wine with bright freshness and vivacity. Aging in mostly neutral oak keeps the pure fruit character of the wine alive, resulting in a delectable zinfandel that is both classic and modern. Earthy spices of clove and nutmeg greet you in the glass, complemented with red cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, and fresh tobacco too. A finishing note of coastal forest floor, with some pine mushrooms and a dash of white pepper completes the palate, with a dry, crisp finish. It’s great stuff even at the full retail of $54 – but at our stunning UNDER $20 price?! This simply can’t be missed!!!