Nov. 12, 2016 – Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

“A candidate for the best value winery in the United States, the Michael & David Winery is incredibly proficient at turning out full-flavored wines at bargain basement prices. Shrewd consumers take note. ” – Robert Parker

Each year only the most outstanding small lots are isolated from over 100 lots produced at Michael David to bottle under Lust. This vintage, three lots stood out as being the most structured while displaying a ton of ripe berry and spice characteristics we all expect to come from a Zinfandel. To enhance this wine, all three lots were blended together and put into new American oak barrels that were purchased specially for this program.  Aged 15 months in new American oak, then 3 months in new French oak. After aging they blended in a little Petite Sirah to increase the already great depth, color, and tannin structure.  Alcohol 15.5%.

1

87

These wines possess major concentration and daring flavor with only a limited production offered each year. The original is the Earthquake Zin that comes from an old Lodi vineyard planted around the same time of San Francisco’s great Earthquake of 1906.  Jam packed with crushed strawberry and dark summer fruit (plum, blackberry, cherry) with a velvety full mouth feel. Vanilla and baking spices round out the finish with a slight hint of tobacco. Alcohol 15.5%.

2

92

89 points Wine Enthusiast.

The Old Ghost represents the best Zinfandel that Klinker Brick produces each year. Brambleberry fruit aromas intermingled with anise, clove and exotic spice, echo previous vintages. Smaller berries harvested from this vineyard block, tend to offer more “skin to flesh,” providing a greater level of smooth yet firm tannin and structure to this wine.  Pair with your prime porterhouse or grilled lamb. Alcohol 15.9%.

3

94

The 90 year old vineyard that produces this wine is owned by their neighbor Russ Horn.  The vines yield a light crop of no more than 3 tons per acre, but with fruit that is intense and rich in flavor.   This is a deep, complex wine with a silky texture and clean finish.  It was blended with 14% Petite Sirah and aged in 1/3 new American oak barrels. 150 cases produced. Alcohol 15.5%.

4

95

92 points Wine Enthusiast.

The Marisa Old Vine Zinfandel is produced from an 88-year old, single vineyard block. This vintage is showing bright aromas of berries and fresh vanilla bean laced with clove and spice.  Flavors of black cherry, black berry, cardamom and pepper are wrapped in a structure of supple tannins. Alcohol 15.8%.

5

99

m2’s flagship wine sourced from the “Soucie Vineyard” planted 100 years ago in 1916. Rich and mouthwatering black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, toast and spice.  Alcohol 15.6%.

6

109

This wine comes from a 3/4 acre field owned by their neighbors, the Bartlam family, located just to the west of the winery property. The soil of this vineyard is a sandy loam located just north of the Mokelumne River. Year after year this field produces a rich, full bodied wine that has wonderful structure and classic Zinfandel spiciness. During the growing season, from April until harvest, they dry farm this field which means they refrain from irrigating the vines to increase the intensity of flavor and color. While the vines don’t appreciate this very much, their customers certainly do. The Bartlam Zinfandel is blended with 17% Petite Sirah and then aged in 100% new American oak for 16 months. 150 cases produced.  Alcohol 14.7%.

7

128

This wine opens up with a bright blackberry and oak nose.  It surrounds the palate sound and sturdy, enveloped in spicy clove and juicy berry, leaving you with a lingering soft oak finish.  Aged 2 years in American oak from Pennsylvania.  Alcohol 13.6%.

8

152