The Specialyst 2018 Zinfandel, Lodi

This Zin pays homage to the legend of The Specialist who some swear they’ve seen riding in Lodi’s fabled vineyards late at night, bending the moonlight and serenading the grapes. With some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California—some dating back to 1888—Lodi is world-renowned for this varietal. In fact, there’s nowhere else in the world that produces Zinfandel with such a deep sense of place.

Which brings us to this new release Zinfandel. Grapes sourced from Lodi’s best vineyards were harvested late in the season, setting the stage for a richer, more expressive wine. 95% Zinfandel is blended with 5% Petite Sirah to enhance depth and balance. The wine was fermented to dry in stainless steel tanks. After a 6-day maceration, the wine was pressed off the skins before undergoing a full malolactic fermentation and aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

Tasting Panel Magazine scored this 93 points saying “Picking grapes late in the season, Winemaker Jim Roblee has succeeded with impressing us with this most elegant old-vine Zinfandel. It also proves the remarkable assets of this variety and the region. This bright, vivid-fruited and well-structured red leaves jammy behind and enters into a category that connects Old World refinement with California’s sunshine-in-a-glass effect. Tart pomegranate is softened by vanilla cedar, just-ripened cherry and deep plum notes bring out its outstanding flavor characteristics. A Zin that stands out from the crowd.”