Description
The Earthquake Zinfandel is one of California's most storied cult reds, and the 2022 vintage is a thunderous expression of why Lodi's centenarian vines remain the benchmark for the variety. The vineyard traces its roots to the era of San Francisco's great earthquake of 1906 — ancient, dry-farmed bush vines whose age forces the plant into concentration, surrendering low yields of extraordinary intensity.
In the glass it is a deep, near-opaque ruby. The nose is immediately arresting: ripe blackberry, dark cherry, and cocoa are layered with vanilla, baking spice, and a whisper of espresso. On the palate, the wine is bold and generous — jammy black fruit and molasses cushioned by velvety tannins and a backbone of peppery spice that prevents the richness from tipping into excess. The finish is long and warming, with a final note of dark chocolate that lingers well past the last sip.
Tasting notes: Blackberry · Dark cherry · Cocoa · Vanilla · Baking spice · Molasses · Black pepper
Pairs with: Slow-smoked brisket, pepper-crusted ribeye, BBQ pork ribs, aged cheddar, wild mushroom ragù
Drink: Now through 2030 · Decant 30 minutes