As the 2021 Messana Zinfandel splashes down into its serving vessel, it is nearly purple, opaque garnet color and shines brilliantly in the bowl of the glass. The nose is at once redolent of Washington cream cherry compote, vanilla, and sandalwood. This powerful and sumptuous wine glides on the palate with a slightly chalky, yet polished texture, and explodes with an expressive array of red berry fruits and allspice, finishing with lingering bright fruit notes and mild cedar tones. This lovely wine is extracted and full in body, yet balanced with elegantly structured tannins and a lifting acidity.
Growing Season
The 2021 growing season began with a dry, chilly winter, however, spring saw temperatures quickly rise, prompting a burst of vigorous vine growth, leading to a successful budburst and flowering. Temperatures throughout the summer months remained steadily moderate. The calm growing season ushered the grapes to phenolic ripeness, without compromising aromatics or acidity.
Picking began early, ahead of average. Heat in late August compacted the harvest, and our sites remained healthy despite a lack of rain and groundwater. This was an excellent year for whole cluster fermentation, as acidity was high and grape skins were mature and healthy with small berry size offering outstanding concentration. 2021 is an outstanding vintage with very dark and extracted fruit, with nice balance and freshness.
Vineyard
This magical site with its gravelly volcanic soils and wonderful microclimate is planted to the famed St. Peter’s Church clone. The hilltop block struggles for water in the rocky, ancient volcanic ash, producing limited yields. Bathed in sunlight, the vines achieve optimal maturity resulting in evenly ripened, rich and intense high-quality fruit.
Specs
Vintage: 2021
Varietal: Zinfandel
Appellation: Fountain Grove District, Sonoma County, CA
Vineyard: Messana Vineyard
Aging: Aged in 80% American oak/20% French oak for 18 months
Alcohol: 15.8%
2019 Gamba Etrusca Velia Red Blend
Tasting Notes
The 2019 Velia is a proprietary blend is a wine built on a solid framework of old vine Zinfandel as its focal point, offering a rich classic brambly fruity base. Alicante Bouschet introduces a wonderful deep color and appealing, polished leathery texture. Next, its nuanced, Szechuan spice character is courtesy of Carignane, and finally, the blend is offered an additional dose of color, tannin, and structure from Petite Sirah. All varieties are fermented and aged separately, which encourages each varietal’s unique characteristics to shine, giving the final blend incredibly seamless, layered, and complex flavors. The fruit is sourced from our prized Estate, and sought-after partner ranches growing in the Russian River Valley AVA. Each year, this proprietary blend highlights and reveals delicious and beautiful attributes that are as unique and compelling as Velia herself.
Our Velia blend features inviting exotic spices, notes of brambly berries, Szechuan pepper, anisette, and cedar tones. Swirling the glass, the vibrant color jumps from the glass, showing dark purple/garnet hues, brilliant and lively. The framework is balanced and substantial, shaped by a foundation built on our historic old vine Estate Zinfandel, offering rich, bright notes of fresh red fruits, leather, Allspice, and red pepper flakes. The texture is polished, with yielding tannins and an appropriate amount of acidity that adds freshness and brightness to the wine as it glides into a pleasant lingering finish.
Specs
Vintage: 2019
Varietals: Zinfandel, Alicante, Carignane & Petite Sirah
Appellation: Russian River Valley, CA
Aging: Aged in 25% new, French, and American oak cooperage for 18 months
Guided by the family heritage of over six generations of wine-grape growers, Gamba firmly believes that wines are made in the vineyard. Every Gamba Zinfandel is an individual expression of the vineyard with each unique vintage. The limited-production, handcrafted wines are a tribute to the art of farming as much as they are to generations of traditional Old World winemaking. As the few remaining old-vine vineyards slowly continue to disappear from the landscape, Gamba holds dear and strives to preserve what is quickly becoming a limited commodity: truly Old Vine Zinfandel.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
I was naturally pleased to see a couple of emails roll in: one from UPS with an unscheduled delivery notice (that wasn’t spam!), and one from Alice, my favorite pen pal, confirming that a rat bottle was on its way. A bottle of 2017 Etrusca Velia mixed red soon appeared on my doorstep. Never heard of it, but it looked good.
On the nose: lots of perfume, violet with a bit of blueberry stood out.
On PnP: Dense red, but my color perception limits my comments there. Light legs, for what it’s worth. Initially a marvelous tangle of flavors and solventy aromatics, pulled together by smooth tannins. Mouth filling.
After further swirling for a few minutes, went back to pick up plum, black cherry and other dark fruits, along with pepper and anise. The finish was a bit short, but I was already on my way to another sip . . .
Silky smooth. Tongue coating. Juicy. Great with smoked Gouda, fine with Brie, but oddly enough, not so much with pepperoni – perhaps the pepperoni was at fault. But again great with beef stroganoff. The wine is fine on its own, but it also loves food.
Well I’m sure you’re asking yourself if there are any Friday musings from a pro in the know…
jebdunnuck.com took a sip of the zin to the spit bucket:
90 points. An opaque red/black color, the 2021 Zinfandel Messana Vineyard offers a layered and brooding nose of tobacco, toasted cedar, fig, and menthol. Full-bodied and ripe, it offers ripe tannins and a warming feel, with notes of dark chocolate on the finish. Audrey Frick Drink 2024-2027. 6/27/24
and that’s about it
Going to preface this by saying Zinfandel is not really my thing - Wellington Zin was the only one that I ever really would go out of my way to buy. Just really not my thing.
TLDR: For not enjoying Zin, I think this is a really well made and structured wine. If you like a restrained zin I think you’ll really like this wine. If this had been 3 bottles in a mixed case I’d be very temped to buy it and let it get some age on it to see how it does.
Pop and poured and then let it sit for about 15 mins while I was finishing up dinner. Very dark ruby color, minimal legs on the wine. Photo above is just after pouring.
I was surprised by how restrained the wine is at first sip - no heat on it. Not fruit forward at all, leans towards currants with a slight hint of spice. The tannins sit in the back and sides of my mouth - they’re very strong drinking it right now.
After about 45 mins I went back for more. There’s a bit funk on the nose when you really bury your nose in it, which I enjoyed. The tannins are still very strong, which is not a criticism at all. As its opened up the finish is a bit more like a typical zin, though I would still say very restrained and elegant.
Overall, I’d say it’s not my thing, but I think people who enjoy the varietal would love this wine, it’s very well made. I’m shocked by the alc %, it doesn’t drink hot whatsoever. Very solid buy at this price
Well shoot, my parents really love Gamba zin! Guess I’m gonna have to order a case and have some gifts / wines to bring to dinner for a while! Casemates really getting me lately, ha!
2021 Gamba Messana Vineyard Zinfandel
Tasting notes
Growing Season
Vineyard
Specs
2019 Gamba Etrusca Velia Red Blend
Tasting Notes
Our Velia blend features inviting exotic spices, notes of brambly berries, Szechuan pepper, anisette, and cedar tones. Swirling the glass, the vibrant color jumps from the glass, showing dark purple/garnet hues, brilliant and lively. The framework is balanced and substantial, shaped by a foundation built on our historic old vine Estate Zinfandel, offering rich, bright notes of fresh red fruits, leather, Allspice, and red pepper flakes. The texture is polished, with yielding tannins and an appropriate amount of acidity that adds freshness and brightness to the wine as it glides into a pleasant lingering finish.
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $720/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, May 1 - Monday, May 5
Gamba Mixed Reds
2 bottles for $54.99 $27.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $239.99 $20/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Gamba Messana Vineyard Zinfandel
2019 Gamba Etrusca Velia Red Blend
@rpstrong
lookin’ atcha
@rjquillin Gaze (and ask) on.
@rpstrong only the one?
@rjquillin yes - sigh.
2019 Gamba Etrusca Velia Red Blend
I was naturally pleased to see a couple of emails roll in: one from UPS with an unscheduled delivery notice (that wasn’t spam!), and one from Alice, my favorite pen pal, confirming that a rat bottle was on its way. A bottle of 2017 Etrusca Velia mixed red soon appeared on my doorstep. Never heard of it, but it looked good.
On the nose: lots of perfume, violet with a bit of blueberry stood out.
On PnP: Dense red, but my color perception limits my comments there. Light legs, for what it’s worth. Initially a marvelous tangle of flavors and solventy aromatics, pulled together by smooth tannins. Mouth filling.
After further swirling for a few minutes, went back to pick up plum, black cherry and other dark fruits, along with pepper and anise. The finish was a bit short, but I was already on my way to another sip . . .
Silky smooth. Tongue coating. Juicy. Great with smoked Gouda, fine with Brie, but oddly enough, not so much with pepperoni – perhaps the pepperoni was at fault. But again great with beef stroganoff. The wine is fine on its own, but it also loves food.
I’m loving it.
Them’s some Swilly level alcohols!
@klezman But very well concealed.
@klezman @rpstrong was going to say lots of octane flowing through here lately
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Gamba Mixed Reds - $90 = 27.26%
Well I’m sure you’re asking yourself if there are any Friday musings from a pro in the know…
jebdunnuck.com took a sip of the zin to the spit bucket:
90 points. An opaque red/black color, the 2021 Zinfandel Messana Vineyard offers a layered and brooding nose of tobacco, toasted cedar, fig, and menthol. Full-bodied and ripe, it offers ripe tannins and a warming feel, with notes of dark chocolate on the finish. Audrey Frick Drink 2024-2027. 6/27/24
and that’s about it
fwiw
2021 Gamba Messana Vineyard Zinfandel
Going to preface this by saying Zinfandel is not really my thing - Wellington Zin was the only one that I ever really would go out of my way to buy. Just really not my thing.
TLDR: For not enjoying Zin, I think this is a really well made and structured wine. If you like a restrained zin I think you’ll really like this wine. If this had been 3 bottles in a mixed case I’d be very temped to buy it and let it get some age on it to see how it does.
Pop and poured and then let it sit for about 15 mins while I was finishing up dinner. Very dark ruby color, minimal legs on the wine. Photo above is just after pouring.
I was surprised by how restrained the wine is at first sip - no heat on it. Not fruit forward at all, leans towards currants with a slight hint of spice. The tannins sit in the back and sides of my mouth - they’re very strong drinking it right now.
After about 45 mins I went back for more. There’s a bit funk on the nose when you really bury your nose in it, which I enjoyed. The tannins are still very strong, which is not a criticism at all. As its opened up the finish is a bit more like a typical zin, though I would still say very restrained and elegant.
Overall, I’d say it’s not my thing, but I think people who enjoy the varietal would love this wine, it’s very well made. I’m shocked by the alc %, it doesn’t drink hot whatsoever. Very solid buy at this price
Both of these wines some fabulous. Anyone in SF or nearby interested in a split? Would prefer 4/4/4 but would be willing to do a 6/6. Any takers?
Anyone up for a SoCal split? I’d take 4 or 6
@bfast where in SoCal?
@rjquillin LA
@bfast LA is big!
While I used to make it up to a couple of areas frequently from San Diego, it seems I haven’t made that trip recently.
Well shoot, my parents really love Gamba zin! Guess I’m gonna have to order a case and have some gifts / wines to bring to dinner for a while! Casemates really getting me lately, ha!