Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 83% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec, deep Ruby red color with aromas of black fruits, baking spice and cedar notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe blueberry with pepper, oak, cacao and herb notes. Fine savory tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and spice. Drinking well now, will improve! Nice! — 6 days ago

Roberto Carli

9.5

Salmon color with copper reflexes. Nose of grapefruit, and Mandarin peel, lemon juice, pink flowers, and petrichor. Faint Aperol on the back. Palate is explosive but not effusive. More grapefruit oil, lemon pith, garrigue, waves of saline minerality and a bright acidity that makes it go on and on. Pretty serious argument on why it deserves its reputation is the best rosé in the world  — 5 months ago

Katie Pierce

9.5

Good fruit flavor but still super dry! Very enjoyable! — 9 months ago

with Janet

Peter Heyboer

9.0

Jammy dark fruit, some barrel aromas and flavors. Pretty complex and enough tannin to keep you from getting overwhelmed. Great sipper for the price point! Would buy again. — 10 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

David Smisek

9.1

04/10/27 $9. Total wine. Worked perfectly with steak. Enjoyed. No. Aftertaste. Light pepper worked great. Worth it for price. — 20 days ago

Dennis Hogenkamp

9.4

15.3% ABV Planted in 1885 by William MacPherson Hill. Red wine ancient field blend, Zin w/ secondary varietal being grenache along with another twenty or so varieties. Good wine. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Oak Ridge Winery – Ancient Vine Zinfandel 2022
Lodi, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Sourced from some of Lodi’s most treasured old vines, this estate-grown Zinfandel reflects the depth and concentration that the region is famous for. Oak Ridge, Lodi’s oldest operating winery, has a long legacy of showcasing Zinfandel as the signature grape of California’s Central Valley.

Aromas & Flavors
On the nose, rich waves of red plum and boysenberry mingle with cracked black peppercorn and a touch of toasty oak. The palate follows with flavors of baked raspberry–blueberry pie, layered with star anise, cardamom, and a subtle lift of candied lemon zest on the finish.

Mouthfeel
Lush and concentrated with a medium-plus to full body, ripe tannins, and a smooth texture. The spice notes add complexity, while the fruit-driven core keeps it approachable and vibrant.

Food Pairing
Ideal with BBQ ribs, grilled sausages, or smoky pulled pork. For a vegetarian option, try it with roasted eggplant or spicy black bean chili—this Zin loves bold flavors.

The Verdict
A bold yet balanced Zinfandel that speaks to Lodi’s heritage of ancient vines. Fruit-forward with just the right amount of spice and oak, it’s a crowd-pleasing red that delivers far beyond its approachable style.

✨ Personal Highlight
This bottling reminds me why Lodi’s “Ancient Vine” Zins are so beloved—they capture both power and charm in the glass, making them perfect for hearty meals or a cozy evening sip. Cheers! — 7 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Dark
fruit
sweetness

This wine had great depth.

Decanted for 2-3 hours and this wine was excellent — 2 months ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Lot of dark fruit: blackberries, blueberries, and a tinge of spice. Dark, the wine smells like it tastes. Good value. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2018 vintage. Last tasted 04.08.23 (9.5), 12.01.22 from a 375ml (9.5) and upon release 06.07.21 (9.5). Decanted and tasted after 45 minutes. Mysterious, dark-fruited and dusty nose. Medium body with excellent darkness of night color. Previous baby-fat overtures approximately 90% gonzo. Slimming down and getting more toned. In a state of transition with undeniable tension that can easily be misconstrued as underperforming. Last wine I tasted that was under this sort of metamorphosis at this level was the 1996 Pichon-Lalande about 1.5 years ago. Such a privilege to experience world-class wines in such a vulnerable moment. Everything is laid out bare/naked before you and you can see where the wine is headed and whether it will be following a trajectory that agrees with you. Definitely unusual to find this occurring in a wine this youthful but the 21st Century is smashing the old 20th Century clay tablets and digitizing. For most wine enthusiasts sampling this wine now, expecting some disappointment in the scoring. For myself, this is currently in the perfect symmetry of past, present and future. Will it show critically better in the future according to the accepted trials, palates, judges and juries? Probably. Will they experience the potential, doubts, insecurities and questions? Doubtful. This kid stays in this exact picture for another 2-4 years imho before striking another pose and I would love to taste this again during that time frame. An above and beyond thank you to FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) regular Todd. 08.15.25. — 9 months ago