Zialena Reserve Zinfandel Vertical

Tasting notes & discussion 36

Packages have been upgraded to 2-day transit for increased protection. This will last throughout the summer.
Typically $62/bottle from Zialena Winery
Vintage 2018, 2019, & 2020 from the Alexander Valley
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KS; KY; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Zialena Winery: “Named for our Aunt (Zia) Lena who was known for her warm hospitality and famous ravioli, Zialena is a family legacy presently nurtured by siblings Mark and Lisa Mazzoni. With a rich history dating back over a century, our Geyserville estate has been stewarded by four generations.

To us, Zialena is the alchemy of family legacy, meticulously farmed estate vineyards, and the unique concrete fermentation process of seasoned winemaker Mark Mazzoni, all working together to cultivate wines of integrity and intention.”

The Farmer in the Zinfandel

TASTING NOTES:
2020 - “This Zinfandel is layered and inherently complex and it’s just getting started. On the nose the oak leads to raspberry, toffee, and graphite. Its brooding structure starts on the palette as pluot and fruit compote leading way to candied bacon, charred meat and a slightly malty finish. An age-worthy wine to enjoy decanted now or many years to come.” (AbV 14.4%)

2019 - “The nose is rich with blueberry, fresh oregano, white pepper, and a touch of black walnut rounding it out. Immediately a full palate of plum, blueberry fruits come across leading to clove and allspice. The new French oak adds layers to the finish with caramel toast and a hint of vanilla letting the wine linger with pleasure.” (AbV 14.4%)

2018 - “…this wine is aged in 20% new French Oak providing a whiff of toast to complement the aromas of blue fruit, Italian spices, Brule, marjoram, vanilla and toffee. A full mouth feel with black plum, black cherry, fresh oregano, caramel, bacon and a long finish of pepper lead to well-balanced tannins. Drinking amazing now but an ageable Zinfandel that will hold well in your cellar.“ (AbV 14.4%)

VARIETALS: All Zinfandel

BARRELS: Concrete fermentation, 18 months in French oak, 20% new.

PAIRS WITH: N/A

THAT REMINDS ME OF: “The Farmer in the Dell.”

The rhyme originated in Germany during the early 19th century with the name "Es fuhr ein Bau’r ins Holz,” which translates to “The Farmer Drove/Rode to the Woods.” As with the English version, the farmer is in the woods, the farmer takes a wife, the wife takes a child, the child takes a nurse, and so-on.

What’s interesting is that when it began showing up in English in the later 19th century, it had merged with “A-Hunting We Will Go” in multiple ways. See, “A-Hunting We Will Go” was an English folk song by Thomas Arne as part of an opera back in the 18th century. “The Farmer in the Dell,” in English, would take its melody and the “heigh-ho, the derry-o” line from there. I guess it’s not too uncommon to see folk/nursery rhymes mutate in this way, but it’s still pretty neat.

Zialena Reserve Zinfandel Vertical

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