Vineyard 29

Aida Estate Zinfandel

9.282 ratings
8.916 pro ratings
St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA
Zinfandel
Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, White Rice, Pasta, Potato, Herbs, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Duck, Exotic Spices, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Pork, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Beef, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

As Zinfandel’s go, (not my favorite varietal) this was nice, ripe, not overly jammy and showed nice purple flowers. Requires another 3-5 yrs in the cellar. 91-93 with cellaring.

As Zinfandel’s go, (not my favorite varietal) this was nice, ripe, not overly jammy and showed nice purple flowers. Requires another 3-5 yrs in the cellar. 91-93 with cellaring.

Jul 8th, 2025
Conrad Green

Rich and sweet. Deep fruit. Pretty

Rich and sweet. Deep fruit. Pretty

Jun 24th, 2022
Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.3

Merry Christmas! Currently drinking a wonderful 2012 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Zinfandel. Eucalyptus and brown sugar notes. Lots of red fruit. Incredible depth and mouthfeel. Long finish.

Merry Christmas! Currently drinking a wonderful 2012 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Zinfandel. Eucalyptus and brown sugar notes. Lots of red fruit. Incredible depth and mouthfeel. Long finish.

2 people found it helpfulDec 25th, 2015
Justin Brilman

2+ hour decant and not a rough edge to be found. Integrated for such a young wine and the air probably helped. Perfect compliment to the meal.

2+ hour decant and not a rough edge to be found. Integrated for such a young wine and the air probably helped. Perfect compliment to the meal.

1 person found it helpfulNov 27th, 2015
Justin Brilman

Big yet unbelievably smooth. Think thanksgiving dinner and drink up. Melka uses about 25% Cabernet in this Zin.

Big yet unbelievably smooth. Think thanksgiving dinner and drink up. Melka uses about 25% Cabernet in this Zin.

1 person found it helpfulNov 21st, 2015
Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.1

Big, dense, rich, spicy zin. Wouldn't have guessed it was 15 years old. Can easily go 15 more (and might be better for it). Goes great with March Madness. Not sure I'd pay $100 dollars for the current release though. Is this the most expensive zin out there?

Big, dense, rich, spicy zin. Wouldn't have guessed it was 15 years old. Can easily go 15 more (and might be better for it). Goes great with March Madness. Not sure I'd pay $100 dollars for the current release though. Is this the most expensive zin out there?

1 person found it helpfulMar 20th, 2015
Jennifer

Vineyard 29 Zinfandel 2009

Vineyard 29 Zinfandel 2009

1 person found it helpfulDec 27th, 2014
Alicia

Blackberry, raisin , tar, and clove. Wonky and hot on the palate.

Blackberry, raisin , tar, and clove. Wonky and hot on the palate.

1 person found it helpfulNov 13th, 2014
Shay A
9.0

Loved visiting Vineyard 29. Awesome wines by PMelka.

Quite the different Zinfandel. I like mine to be big fruit bombs or have a balance of pepper/spice, and this was basically just a singular cranberry bomb. Still good, but it was almost overpowering as it get like I was chewing them.

Loved visiting Vineyard 29. Awesome wines by PMelka.

Quite the different Zinfandel. I like mine to be big fruit bombs or have a balance of pepper/spice, and this was basically just a singular cranberry bomb. Still good, but it was almost overpowering as it get like I was chewing them.

Sep 28th, 2016
Jordan Gianelli

This is a Zinfandel for people who don't typically enjoy Zinfandel. Lots of Cab blended in plus some Petie Sirah. It paired beautifully with root vegetables and pork. Definitely on the richer Napa Cab side of the spectrum than on the bright fruit, medium bodied Napa Zin side.

This is a Zinfandel for people who don't typically enjoy Zinfandel. Lots of Cab blended in plus some Petie Sirah. It paired beautifully with root vegetables and pork. Definitely on the richer Napa Cab side of the spectrum than on the bright fruit, medium bodied Napa Zin side.

Feb 27th, 2016