2021 Markus Wine Co “Essenzo” Red Blend, Lodi, California
Planted in 1987, the River Song Vineyard is north across the river from our winery in Victor, right in the heart of the best Zinfandel region of the world. We think this wine is a good case study for keeping these essential (“essenzo”) 34-year-old vines happily in the ground.
You can see your fingers through the garnet red - a clue that the wine will be elegant in the mouth, not too full-bodied. A savory dry style, yet there are loads of plums, ripe tomatoes, coffee and a touch of oak, followed by reduced cherries and cinnamon with a dash of pepper rounding out the persistent finish.
Food? How about just firing-up the grill and putting a good sear on a thick buttery-fat ribeye, using the wine as your sauce. The versatility of this wine would also work in place of a more ample Pinot with suitably-cooked poultry.
These essential (“essenzo”) vines are a living history that can still make important wines, like this dark cherry, velvety-tannin, dry Zinfandel from 34-year-old vines across the river." (Label illustrated by Ashley Johnson)− Markus Niggli, Winemaker
Specs
Blend:
River Song Vineyard Planted 1987: 81% Zinfandel | Borra Vineyards Church Block Planted 1938: 8% Carignane - 7% Petite Sirah - 4% Alicante Bouschet
Appellation: Lodi
Harvested: August 23 & October 1, 2021 by hand at dawn
Fermentation: 75°F 21 days steel, native yeast, native ML
Winemaking: 5 days 39°F cold soak, no extended maceration, free-run juice only
Cellar: 19 months, 30% once-filled French oak
Alcohol by Vol.: 14.8%
RS: 0.20 g/L dry
pH: 3.90
TA: 5.10 g/L
Filtration: sterile filtered
Cases: 800
Bottled: April 29, 2023
2021 Markus Wine Co “Toura” Red Blend, Mokelumne River, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
The genesis of this bottling comes from a 2016 cruise tour of the Douro River (‘Toura’) where Markus was blown away by the stunning beauty of the steep terraced hillsides, captured on this label by University of the Pacific student Monica Odeh. Narrow space means attention to fine details of winegrape growing. Markus was able to find this obsessive attention to high quality detail in the vines of Miles Berghold.
Combine equal parts of Berghold’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah and you have our biggest and most intense red. Textured chalky and full bodied young tannins framed with balanced acidity lend the backbone to abundant fruits of strawberry, black currant, blackberry and black cherry. Potpourri and savory cinnamon rolls lead to red rose petals and black coffee on the persistent finish.
Though this wine will hold up to just about any big flavorful food, a classic pairing would be a lamb shoulder roasted with sea salt, rosemary and olive oil.
Fermentation: 75°F 14 days steel, ICV D21 & D80 yeasts, Elios 1 ML
Winemaking: 4 days ~39°F cold soak, free-run juice only
Cellar: 24 months, 40% once-filled 60% neutral French oak
Alcohol by Vol.: 15.2%
RS: 0.32 g/L dry
pH: 3.85
TA: 5.60 g/L
Malic Acid: 0.05 g/L
Filtration: sterile filtered
Cases: 150
Bottled: December 9, 2023
2021 Markus Wine Co “Zelitlos” Red Blend, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
Perhaps our most age-worthy wine, this elegantly-structured blend based on Syrah is chock full of up-front fruit, notably black cherry, plum and a melange of other black fruits on a bed of red rose petals and sun dried tomatoes, with a very long lingering finish holding perhaps a kiss of cinnamon spice.
The young tannins bring texture and weightiness, dry and savory in a nod to Europe. Though already fairly smooth, let it age for a year or more to see how it all comes harmoniously together.
For a special evening, grill lamb with rosemary olive oil and sea salt. No time? Hot medium-rare pastrami, sandwiched between two slices of just-baked sourdough, or lentils with roasted tomatoes, ground beef and mushrooms would work equally well.
“People, like wine, are shaped by unique places. I used to take day-trips to Erden, Germany (DE), known for Riesling growing on a ridiculously steep hill across the Mosel River. Workers climb up ladders to work the vines and make this a ‘gold spot’ for ‘zeitlos’ (ageless and memorable) wines. Karina Michaels portrays this sacrifice for quality in this label for our elegantly structured Syrah.” − Markus Niggli, Winemaker
Specs
Blend: Borra Vineyards Gill Creek Ranch Planted 2001: 75% Syrah Clone 877 | River Song Vineyard Planted 1987: 20% Zinfandel | Berghold Vineyards Block 71 Planted 2011: 5% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Lodi
Harvested: Aug 23-Sep 22 by hand at dawn
Fermentation: 80°F 7 days steel, native yeast, native ML
Winemaking: 6 days ~39°F cold soak, 4 days extended maceration, free-run juice only
Cellar: 24 months, 40% once-filled French oak 60% neutral
Alcohol by Vol.: 15.3%
RS: 0.44 g/L dry
pH: 3.85
TA: 5.40 g/L
Malic Acid: 0 g/L
Filtration: sterile filtered
Cases: 120
Bottled: December 9, 2023
What’s Included
3-bottles:
1x 2021 Markus Wine Co “Essenzo” Red Blend, Lodi, California
1x 2021 Markus Wine Co “Zelitlos” Red Blend, Lodi, California
1x 2021 Markus Wine Co “Toura” Red Blend, Mokelumne River, Lodi, California Case:
4x 2021 Markus Wine Co “Essenzo” Red Blend, Lodi, California
4x 2021 Markus Wine Co “Zelitlos” Red Blend, Lodi, California
4x 2021 Markus Wine Co “Toura” Red Blend, Mokelumne River, Lodi, California
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $476/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Markus Wine Co.
Owners: Markus Niggli
Founded: 2014
Location: Lodi, California
“People, like wine, are shaped by unique places." — MARKUS NIGGLI, WINEMAKER
Founded in 2014, Markus Wine Co. was launched from Lodi’s first boutique winery, Borra Vineyards. Swiss-born winemaker and owner Markus Niggli selects from wisely-planted ancient vines and newly-planted unusual offerings throughout the Lodi region to craft small-production bottlings in our warehouse winery located in Victor, California, 3 miles east of Lodi.
We sum up our winemaking in two words: fruit and age. We want wines to be “zeitlos” – ageless and memorable – to drink young or with a decade or more of age, and still be absolutely elegant. Our wines are fruit-driven, but balanced with higher acidity than you find in many wines, and with soft, integrated tannins, to be enjoyed with meals. We believe real winemaking happens out in the vineyard, so that in the winery we do as little as possible, using natural yeast and natural ML.
For what’s on the bottles, Markus explains, “People, like wine, are shaped by unique places,” which is why each label brings together a location from Markus’s past with the current grape source. Creative expressions of the locations are realized through a long-term collaboration with label designer Michael Leonard and his students at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.
Available States
AL, 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
2021 Markus Wine Co “Essenzo” Red Blend, Lodi, California
First, my preferences so you know where I’m coming from. I like red wines. Chewy, dark, dry. Of course, I’ve never met a wine I didn’t like, but that’s what I reach for when given a choice.
On pop and pour, this was a lighter bodied red wine resting at room temperature for a few days once received. The bottle reads the blended red as “81% Zinfandel | Borra Vineyards Church Block Planted 1938: 8% Carignane - 7% Petite Sirah - 4% Alicante Bouschet”, and the prominent Zinfandel seems about right. The first sips are dry, not fruit forward, and very well balanced. I like it! It’s not as “chewy” as I like, but this wine hits the pallet perfectly! Pleasantly surprised! I drink a lot of wine, and have (too) many bottles stored downstairs, but this wine is wonderful, and depending on how the other two varieties rat, I’d be in for a case, either to share, or not to share
I had two glasses last night, but left more for tonight so come at me with your questions. I’m no wine connoisseur, but I will tell you I like this one.
I have a handful of bottles of blue and zeitlos from another (now bankrupt) site that is still selling them for less than $8/btl before shipping. I still haven’t opened any of them so I’m curious on rat notes.
@Lidio Hi,
I have you and one other wanting to split the case of Markus: So to be fair will offer 1 bottle of each of the 3 varieties. If the other party drops out can double it. Wines delivered last Friday, while I was on travel, to Stoughton MA and the IWV should transport them to Framingham this week. Will advise: Jon (603-682-4739)
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Markus Wine Co. Mixed Red Blends - $66 = 25.77%
2021 Markus Wine Co “Toura” Red Blend, Mokelumne River, Lodi
First off, I was really excited about this blend. It’s not often you find a 1/3 Petite Syrah Blend, which makes this wine unique.
First taste was strong vanilla and cherry, and very velvety. Normally this much new oak would turn me off, but it really complements these varietals.
I also tried chilling it for 20 minutes which seemed to enhance the vanilla flavor and was a nice effect. The few times I had Touro in Spain it was always very chilled. That seems to be traditional, but not necessary with such an expertly crafted wine. Excited to explore more wine in the style of Portugal.
Overall, my wife and I really enjoyed this bottle. Will definitely be in for a case!
Thanks for the opportunity to rat. We rarely buy Syrah around my house since I’m the only one who tends to enjoy it!
I forgot to take a picture until we had pretty much finished the bottle, hence the small amount of dark ruby left in my glass.
I always like to try at least a splash on the pop and pour to see how a wine develops through the evening and this bottle benefited from aeration and time in my glass.
After aeration and several minutes in, this wine opened up to some pleasant blackberry tartness, hint of baking spice. Nice tannins, almost too much. Lovely cocoa on the nose. Goes down smooth.
My wife tends to enjoy the Zinfandels more than other varietals, but I wanted to get her take. She and I agreed that the flavors were hard to suss out at first and she wanted them to meld together more…but she still wanted another glass.
I’m toward the end of the bottle and I can’t get away from calling this wine elegant and tight. And that makes sense - a syrah bottled only a few months ago.
This bottle is drinkable now with PLENTY of time to breathe. I enjoyed it but if I place an order this particular bottle is going straight in the wine cellar (aka my tiny wine fridge). After having this bottle I’m actually kind of excited to see what it develops into after a year or two.
PS - Sorry I finished the bottle last night, no day two notes
@netcommsyn Not sure if this is my lucky day or not, doesn’t look like anyone’s taken you up but I’m just a couple miles away and would be in to split?
Hi,
I have you and one other wanting to split the case of Markus: So to be fair will offer 1 bottle of each of the 3 varieties. If the other party drops out can double it. Wines were last Friday while I was on travel to Stoughton MA and the IWV should transport them to Framingham this week. Will advise: Jon (603-682-4739)
2021 Markus Wine Co “Essenzo” Red Blend, Lodi, California
Specs
River Song Vineyard Planted 1987: 81% Zinfandel | Borra Vineyards Church Block Planted 1938: 8% Carignane - 7% Petite Sirah - 4% Alicante Bouschet
2021 Markus Wine Co “Toura” Red Blend, Mokelumne River, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
Specs
2021 Markus Wine Co “Zelitlos” Red Blend, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $476/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, 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
Monday, Mar 25 - Wednesday, Mar 27
Markus Wine Co. Mixed Red Blends
3 bottles for $62.99 $21/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $189.99 $15.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Markus Wine Co “Essenzo”
2021 Markus Wine Co “Zelitlos"
2021 Markus Wine Co “Toura”
Bumpkis
Good morning Mates…
2021 Markus Wine Co “Essenzo” Red Blend, Lodi, California
First, my preferences so you know where I’m coming from. I like red wines. Chewy, dark, dry. Of course, I’ve never met a wine I didn’t like, but that’s what I reach for when given a choice.
On pop and pour, this was a lighter bodied red wine resting at room temperature for a few days once received.
I had two glasses last night, but left more for tonight so come at me with your questions. I’m no wine connoisseur, but I will tell you I like this one.
@kasandrae Where are the palate police?
@woopdedoo hahahaha I didn’t notice the autocorrect. That’s pretty funny! Thanks for pointing it out…
@kasandrae @woopdedoo im here! Lol
but I was driving back from paradise…IRB,FL
@woopdedoo the PP…not to be confused with PnP
I have a handful of bottles of blue and zeitlos from another (now bankrupt) site that is still selling them for less than $8/btl before shipping. I still haven’t opened any of them so I’m curious on rat notes.
@deadlyapp Care to share a link?
@deadlyapp hi, would you care to share info on where you’re buying this wine? If so, thank you in advance!
@deadlyapp @Lidio
OK I am in Newton MA. I have alreday orered the case. 603-682-4739
@netcommsyn Greetings, netcomm. If you haven’t already committed to splitting with another member, I am still interested.
@Lidio Hi,
I have you and one other wanting to split the case of Markus: So to be fair will offer 1 bottle of each of the 3 varieties. If the other party drops out can double it. Wines delivered last Friday, while I was on travel, to Stoughton MA and the IWV should transport them to Framingham this week. Will advise: Jon (603-682-4739)
@deadlyapp @StaceyY Mixed case from Casemates arrived.
@Lidio Mixed case has arrived. Currently in conditioned storage. pls advise: 6036824739
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Markus Wine Co. Mixed Red Blends - $66 = 25.77%
Always exciting to get a Labrat special delivery.
2021 Markus Wine Co “Toura” Red Blend, Mokelumne River, Lodi
First off, I was really excited about this blend. It’s not often you find a 1/3 Petite Syrah Blend, which makes this wine unique.
First taste was strong vanilla and cherry, and very velvety. Normally this much new oak would turn me off, but it really complements these varietals.
I also tried chilling it for 20 minutes which seemed to enhance the vanilla flavor and was a nice effect. The few times I had Touro in Spain it was always very chilled. That seems to be traditional, but not necessary with such an expertly crafted wine. Excited to explore more wine in the style of Portugal.
Overall, my wife and I really enjoyed this bottle. Will definitely be in for a case!
@nostromo_ Willing to share a couple bottles in Atlanta if anyone is on the fence. You should not hesitate though
I was lucky to receive a bottle of the
2021 Markus Wine Co “Zelitlos” Red Blend
Thanks for the opportunity to rat. We rarely buy Syrah around my house since I’m the only one who tends to enjoy it!
I forgot to take a picture until we had pretty much finished the bottle, hence the small amount of dark ruby left in my glass.
I always like to try at least a splash on the pop and pour to see how a wine develops through the evening and this bottle benefited from aeration and time in my glass.
After aeration and several minutes in, this wine opened up to some pleasant blackberry tartness, hint of baking spice. Nice tannins, almost too much. Lovely cocoa on the nose. Goes down smooth.
My wife tends to enjoy the Zinfandels more than other varietals, but I wanted to get her take. She and I agreed that the flavors were hard to suss out at first and she wanted them to meld together more…but she still wanted another glass.
I’m toward the end of the bottle and I can’t get away from calling this wine elegant and tight. And that makes sense - a syrah bottled only a few months ago.
This bottle is drinkable now with PLENTY of time to breathe. I enjoyed it but if I place an order this particular bottle is going straight in the wine cellar (aka my tiny wine fridge). After having this bottle I’m actually kind of excited to see what it develops into after a year or two.
PS - Sorry I finished the bottle last night, no day two notes
@ludwigmace Thanks for the thorough review!
Also – I immediately visited the Real Ale website to look for those adorable glasses… Sadly, they are out.
@Lidio We have wayyyy too many glasses and that one keep surviving the purges!
@ludwigmace In for 3. Looking forward to drinking the other two and sitting on this bottle until next year.
Props to the label designer; those are beautiful.
Notes from 2018 RPM LODI Tour on our Markus tasting:
We all enjoyed them and found them great!
2018 Field Notes - Markus
RPM’s Notes on Markus
Anyone want to share a case? Boston/So. NH area.
OK. I have ordered a case early this AM. Can meetg half way between your location and Newton, MA.
@netcommsyn Not sure if this is my lucky day or not, doesn’t look like anyone’s taken you up but I’m just a couple miles away and would be in to split?
Hi,
I have you and one other wanting to split the case of Markus: So to be fair will offer 1 bottle of each of the 3 varieties. If the other party drops out can double it. Wines were last Friday while I was on travel to Stoughton MA and the IWV should transport them to Framingham this week. Will advise: Jon (603-682-4739)