Sidebar Old Vine Zinfandel Mokelumne River Lodi 2018

$33.00
sold out

Made up entirely of old vine Zinfandel from the Mokelumne River AVA in Lodi, the vines which grow upon beds of sandy loam range in age between 55-120 years old. One harvested the grapes see native yeast and undergo 3 week fermentation and maceration with 25% whole cluster. They are then pressed and barrelled down before native malolactic fermentation. Finally, they are aged on lees in neutral oak barrels for 13 months and bottled unfiltered.

A concentrated and balanced old-vine Zin with pronounced black pepper from a historical Zinfandel growing region. - David Ramey

Ratings

From Mokelumne River in Lodi and made of 100% Zinfandel, the barrel sample of 2018 Zinfandel has a nose of spiced black cherry, blueberry jam and potpouri with herbal and earth touches and peachy undertones. Medium to full-bodied, it offers great intensity of blue fruits in the mouth, with grainy framing tannins and great juicy acidity, finishing long with fruity and spicy layers. 1,120 cases are expected to be made.

Wine Advocate - 94 points - February, 2021, Erin Brooks

This smoky, spicy wine wraps potent blackberry flavors around accents of black pepper, beef and woodsmoke for a dark and delicious effect. It is full-bodied, moderately tannic and nicely concentrated.

Wine Enthustiast - 91 points - February, 2021, Joshua Greene

Tasting Notes

  • aroma of spiced black cherry, blueberry jam

  • potpourri with herbal and earth

  • medium to full-bodied

  • intense blue fruits

  • grainy medium tannins

  • juicy acidity

  • long finish with fruity and spicy layers

Made up entirely of old vine Zinfandel from the Mokelumne River AVA in Lodi, the vines which grow upon beds of sandy loam range in age between 55-120 years old. One harvested the grapes see native yeast and undergo 3 week fermentation and maceration with 25% whole cluster. They are then pressed and barrelled down before native malolactic fermentation. Finally, they are aged on lees in neutral oak barrels for 13 months and bottled unfiltered.

A concentrated and balanced old-vine Zin with pronounced black pepper from a historical Zinfandel growing region. - David Ramey

Ratings

From Mokelumne River in Lodi and made of 100% Zinfandel, the barrel sample of 2018 Zinfandel has a nose of spiced black cherry, blueberry jam and potpouri with herbal and earth touches and peachy undertones. Medium to full-bodied, it offers great intensity of blue fruits in the mouth, with grainy framing tannins and great juicy acidity, finishing long with fruity and spicy layers. 1,120 cases are expected to be made.

Wine Advocate - 94 points - February, 2021, Erin Brooks

This smoky, spicy wine wraps potent blackberry flavors around accents of black pepper, beef and woodsmoke for a dark and delicious effect. It is full-bodied, moderately tannic and nicely concentrated.

Wine Enthustiast - 91 points - February, 2021, Joshua Greene

Tasting Notes

  • aroma of spiced black cherry, blueberry jam

  • potpourri with herbal and earth

  • medium to full-bodied

  • intense blue fruits

  • grainy medium tannins

  • juicy acidity

  • long finish with fruity and spicy layers

VARIETAL COMPOSITION Zinfandel

REGION California

COUNTRY United States

APPELLATION(S) High Valley, Lake County, Mokelumne River, Russian River Valley

PROPRIETORS David and Carla Ramey

FOUNDED 2014

WINEMAKER Lydia Cummins

David Ramey and his wife Carla founded Ramey Wine Cellars in 1996 and Sidebar Cellars in 2014. As their children take on roles within the company, the Rameys decided on expanding the family’s legacy to reflect the significance of its future generation of winemaking and consumers. Thus Sidebar Cellars was founded, with daughter, Claire, at the helm and Lydia Cummins, then an associate winemaker at Ramey, now as Head of Winemaking. 

Sidebar Cellars adheres to the same quality winemaking employed at Ramey while producing wines that are of different varietals (Kerner, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, a GSM blend, etc.) and are also meant to be consumed when they are young and fresh - it is the product of the Ramey team’s desire to have some fun and instant gratification while waiting for the Ramey bottlings to mature. Brightness and simplicity are key, tailored by a supple texture.

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