Jay Kline

9.0

The fruit from this vineyard was planted in 1886 by Joseph Spenker. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh raspberries, lingonberries, Earl Grey, purple flowers, cool spices, and old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and slightly spicy. This is one of the more elegant vintages of the Lodi Cinsault. Drink now with some air and through 2033. 13 barrels produced. — 7 months ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

8.9

Turley used Spenker fruit from 96-97 and this was Biale's first turn with the 1902-planted vineyard, which they made wine from until 2004. This is on the downturn, but still has plenty of fruit/spice along with more tertiary qualities and was a very enjoyable quaff. Would have liked to try it young. Looks like the fruit is now going primarily to estate wines which are not very highly regarded. — 10 years ago

David Peifer

9.7

Fruit forward and super delicious — 12 years ago

Chris Dudas

9.0

We found this quite by accident at a local Grocery Outlet. Noticed it was 19 years old and bought it on a lark. It was good! A little acidic but full of flavor. — 5 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.1

Cinsault - 130+ year old vines
Organic, unfiltered, nouveau style, 12.5% abv. Body is light, red fruit, med acid, some tannin, good food wine, spring picnic and warm weather red. On second day of being opened, more fruity raspberry notes appeared.

From website:
Twenty-five acre own-rooted Bechthold vineyard, planted in 1886 by German immigrant Joseph Spenker, is the oldest continuously farmed vineyard in Lodi. 

Nestled in the Mokelumne River area of Lodi, the organically dry farmed vineyard with head-trained vines is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving Cinsault vineyard. — 6 years ago

Kimberly Charles

10

Vineyard of the year CA state fair 2014 planted in 1886 five generations of Spenker family ownership — 11 years ago

with Alexandra, Randy and 1 other

Jay Kline

9.1

Let me start with a disclaimer: I’m a massive fan of Chateau Musar and a big fan of Tegan’s work with his Sandlands wines. I’m a buyer for both each and every year. So when I learned that he had modeled the 2018 “Red Table Wine” after the wines from Musar, I was like, “Abso-effing-lutely”!! A few nights ago, I couldn’t resist pulling the cork on one to give it the old college try (it is so young after all). I’m happy to report that the wine is tasty and does remind me a bit of Musar, even though the blend uses Zinfandel instead of Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s quite reticent at this stage and it evolved at a glacial pace over four days. A mix of dark and red fruits with exotic spices, red rope licorice and coffee. As typical of Sandlands wines, this gained weight with air and the higher acid gives it a lot of energy. Today, I think these drink best with a meal. I intend to hold my remaining bottle for at least a few years. Equal parts Cinsault (Bechthold Vineyard 1886), Carignane (Spenker Ranch 1900) and Zinfandel (Kirschenmann Vineyard 1915). — 6 years ago

Ryan Sherman

9.1

@Delectable Wine can you go that far back? — 10 years ago