A heady, intoxicating nose with black fruits and a hint of turmeric spice. On the palate, it exhibits traditional Zinfandel characteristics like red berries and black pepper, with a hint of brambly tannin.
Our âvillageâ Zinfandel taps into vineyard sources across the Paso Robles AVA, including Thacher Wineryâs own Kentucky Ranch vineyard. This is a great representation of Westside Paso Zinfandel, and many of the vineyards contributing to the blend harken back to an older era of California viticulture practices, being both head-trained and dry-farmed.
Vinification
All lots were handpicked, and fruit was destemmed and manually berry-sorted prior to cold soaking until fermentation was started, naturally and spontaneously, by wild yeasts.
Ălevage
At the end of fermentation, lots were basket pressed, roughly settled for 24 hours, and then racked to barrel. Ălevage took place in 60 and 70-gallon barriques, 12% new and 30% second-fill. The wine was racked and blended in the winter of 2022/23, then returned to barrel until it was bottled in the Spring of 2022. The minimal amount of effective SO2 was used, and this wine was crafted without the use of added enzymes, water, acids, tannins, or nutrients.
Vineyards: Bailey Ranch, Osgood Ranch, Kentucky Ranch, Old Oak
CP: 336
Bottle Date: April, 2022
Alcohol: 15.3%
pH: 3.8
TA (g/100mL): .57
Winemaker: Sherman Thacher
2022 Thacher Cinsault, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Baked raspberry tart on the nose with underlying herbal notes of black tea and a touch of suede float from the glass and invite a deeper inspection, revealing characteristics of bright strawberry, dried orange peel, or a hike through a eucalyptus grove at Montaña de Oro.
The fruit comes from the epic Glenrose Vineyard, and the material planted in that vineyard, as far as we can parse out of Don Roseâs memory, is one of the old UC Davis clones; probably Clone 2 or 3. The UC Davis material originates from a mother vine at the old UC Davis Jackson Experimental Station, in Amador County. The Jackson Experimental Station, one of 7 that UC Davis established, was a vineyard originally planted in 1889. The Station was abandoned in the early 1900âs, and the University lost proprietorship of the land to Squattersâ Rights in 1903. The vineyard sat abandoned and untended for nearly 60 years, until the Station was rediscovered in 1961 by UC Davis researchers. Surprisingly, the researchers found, in 1961, 132 different grape cultivars planted and still thriving at the Station. One of these cultivars, Plot E Row 5 Vine 4, was Cinsault, then known by its old Californian aliases, âBlack Malvoisieâ or âBlack Malvasiaâ. Cuttings from this vine were propagated, and ultimately provided the material that Don planted at Glenrose.
The fruit was basket-pressed after fermentation, and the wine was raised in 500L, where native bacteria carried out malolactic fermentation. After malolactic, the wine was racked to 900L cement tanks. The wine was aged for 12 months before being bottled, unfiltered and unfined. This wine was crafted without the use of added enzymes, water, acids, tannins, or nutrients.
Specs
Vintage: 2022
Varietals: Cinsault (100%)
AVA: Adelaida District
Vineyards: Glenrose Vineyard
CP: 278
Bottle Date: August, 2023
Alcohol: 11.9%
pH: 3.73
TA (g/100mL): .65
Winemaker: Sherman Thacher
2021 Thacher Own Rooted Merlot
Tasting Notes
These plants are own-rooted; Clone 7 of merlot was planted to the Casagrande Vineyard in 1991. With Cherry cola, crushed mint, and green bell pepper, introduce Thacherâs first Merlot. On the palate, you will encounter black plum, cocoa powder, and bramble fruits such as boysenberry and blackberry. The lush mouthfeel and firm, balanced tannins of this Bordeaux variety will have you forgetting about Sideways and this varietalâs negative stereotypes.
The wine was raised in neutral barriques where native bacteria carried out malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 32 months before being bottled, unfiltered and unfined. This wine was crafted without the use of added enzymes, water, acids, tannins, or nutrients.
We are a family-owned and operated, authentic wine producer located in one of the worldâs most superb wine-growing regions and fueled by some of the most talented people. We believe in this place we call home and the handmade wines we have to share with you. We have come from other places and have varied backgrounds, and we are grateful to share this lovely part of California with those who are also drawn to Paso Robles.
We strive to make elegant wines with more nuances than sheer power. We utilize diverse varietals from exceptional Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Monterey vineyards. Our wines are made with minimal intervention and native ferments, and the fruit, acid, and tannins are balanced naturally. We embrace the growing seasonâs inconsistencies and harvestâs unpredictability rather than producing a standardized product. We are genuine in this pursuit and care about what is in every bottle. What you see is what you get. We are all here to show you around and to pour you a taste. Come for a visit.
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
@SippinSantiagos My review will be up soon, but Iâd say itâs more âevery dayâ than the Onesta. I love the Onesta too, and I prefer it to the Thacher, though there are mitigating circumstances!
'MatesâŠ
How do we want to deal with what looks like a new thing with double listings for each offer?
Iâve put in a request for clarification if this is the ânew normâ and if it is, I could see it really fussing with what weâve become used to and where we look for, well, all the stuff we look for.
Speak up!
@rjquillin Technology should be able to handle duel shipping dates. If it cannot, then one offer will need to refer people to the other page and shut down comments on this one. That being said, I am looking forward to the rats reports.
@danandlisa Official word is future offers will continue to see the two threads, but the âSummer Shippingâ will be locked for comments (you still purchase there) so all comments will be in the normal thread weâve been used to using.
Seems like a reasonable and rational solution.
You want Summer, order there;
you want immediate, order here.
No, it doesnât. Itâs ridiculous. I would literally fire the person who came up with this solution. How is it not a simple drop-down or radial button selection during checkout?
@danandlisa@rjquillin@Winedavid59
But while change is afoot, how about more than 2 choices for quantity? How about the option for 3, 6, 9 or 12 bottles? Of course we would need a separate offer thread for each choice.
@chipgreen@danandlisa@marjoryk@rjquillin@Winedavid59 Itâs a little cleaner than yesterday, default seems to go to discussion thread, not the locked thread. And itâs spelled out pretty clearly on the offer page. Personally I donât see toggling that big of a deal. And hey, Summer Hold is a big deal right? Be thankful and quit your bitchinâ ⊠ha!
I am always amazed at the infinite variety of wine â at its ability to breathe and change and how it molds itself to food and occasion. Such is the case with the 2021 Thacher Own-Rooted Merlot, from Paso Robles.
From the label to the whiff to the palate, this is an unambiguous wine that knows what it is about.
On the nose, we smelled bright berries and a touch of smoke and oak. Simple and clear.
My wife and daughter immediately said it tasted like cherry vanilla Coke mixed at an old-fashioned soda counter. The berry flavor was of fully ripe cherries with low or no acid. As with the nose, there were moderate to light tannins.
For dinner, we made Angus beef burgers on the grill on toasted brioche buns. It was topped with garlic and butter roasted baby bella mushrooms and parmesan/cheddar cheese. The pairing was excellent with the beef and the mushrooms.
As we sat after the meal, the long finish had a slightly raisined aspect without being tart. My daughter sensed a hint of citronella that reminded her of the smell of the spiral wrist bands we had our kids wear to ward off bugs.
We loved this wine thoroughly â it has the potential to be fully adaptable to foods or an elegant complement to good conversation. Thank you for the opportunity to rat this wine!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Thacher Mixed Reds - $100 = 33.33%
The 'sphere is pretty quiet todayâŠof course it seems Wine Enthusiast always has a little something to sayâŠthe Merlot:
92 points. Cellar Selection. Dark anise and roasted blackberry aromas meet with a toasty woodspice on the nose of this bottling, which comes from own-rooted vines planted in 1991. There is a rich array of cherry and prine on the palate, as firm tannins and hearty spices ensure a long shelf life. Drink now-2034. â Matt Kettmann 3/1/25
Also, per producer website, the Merlot was released at $65, 74 cases produced. 278 cases of the Cinsault at $55.
Winery Cinsault note:
Baked raspberry tart on the nose with underlying herbal notes of black tea and a touch of suede float from the glass and invite a deeper inspection, revealing characteristics of bright strawberry, dried orange peel, or a hike through a eucalyptus grove at Montaña de
Oro. Through(sic) this bottle in the fridge for 15 minutes, get the pizza oven fired up and invite some friends over. Cellar through 2028.
@MarkDaSpark And there it is. Another consideration for folks who want to share, not only do you want some and how many, but who prefers now and who wants it later.
I received the bottle to rat on Monday. HUZZAH! Unfortunately, I live in Florida and the bottle was literally hot to the touch when I received it. Not warm. Hot. Sigh.
I let it sit on my kitchen counter at 73 degrees for a day and opened it last night. The nose was fine. It wasnât remarkable, but it was a little fruity with red and dark fruits (I was thinking raspberries and plums). Pleasant.
The color is a gorgeous ruby red with a nice clarity.
The flavor, while not startlingly cooked as I had feared, has probably lost a lot of nuance and complexity from the heat. Not a lot happening on the front, strong notes of strawberry and black pepper or warming spices (maybe cinnamon and barest hint of clove) on the finish. It finishes pretty clean too. Reminded me of an everyday drinking pinot noir.
Honestly, I was prepared for it to be far worse for how hot it was, and while I wouldnât write home about my bottle, it is certainly drinkable. Iâm finishing it with Chicken Cacciatore tonight.
So, if it were to arrive at your house at an appropriate temperature, I would guess it would have a much more impressive nose and be more flavorful and complex, which would be great, as opposed to âgood enoughâ.
2021 Thacher Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Ălevage
Specs
2022 Thacher Cinsault, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Ălevage
Specs
2021 Thacher Own Rooted Merlot
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Ălevage
Specs
Whatâs Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $624/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
Monday, Jun 30 - Tuesday, Jul 1
Thacher Mixed Reds
3 bottles for $74.99 $25/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Thacher Zinfandel
2022 Thacher Cinsault
2021 Thacher Own Rooted Merlot
Oh a different paso robles Cinsault?? How does it compare to my favorite Onesta?
@SippinSantiagos My review will be up soon, but Iâd say itâs more âevery dayâ than the Onesta. I love the Onesta too, and I prefer it to the Thacher, though there are mitigating circumstances!
@SippinSantiagos these guys kill it with Cinsault year in and year out - and also do a killer Cinsault Rose!
'MatesâŠ
How do we want to deal with what looks like a new thing with double listings for each offer?
Iâve put in a request for clarification if this is the ânew normâ and if it is, I could see it really fussing with what weâve become used to and where we look for, well, all the stuff we look for.
Speak up!
@rjquillin Technology should be able to handle duel shipping dates. If it cannot, then one offer will need to refer people to the other page and shut down comments on this one. That being said, I am looking forward to the rats reports.
@danandlisa Official word is future offers will continue to see the two threads, but the âSummer Shippingâ will be locked for comments (you still purchase there) so all comments will be in the normal thread weâve been used to using.
Seems like a reasonable and rational solution.
You want Summer, order there;
you want immediate, order here.
@danandlisa @rjquillin @winedavid59
No, it doesnât. Itâs ridiculous. I would literally fire the person who came up with this solution. How is it not a simple drop-down or radial button selection during checkout?
@danandlisa @rjquillin @Winedavid59
But while change is afoot, how about more than 2 choices for quantity? How about the option for 3, 6, 9 or 12 bottles? Of course we would need a separate offer thread for each choice.
Thacher Mixed Reds (3 bottles)
Thacher Mixed Reds (6 bottles)
Thacher Mixed Reds (9 bottles)
Thacher Mixed Reds (12 bottles)
Thacher Mixed Reds (3 bottles, Summer hold)
Thacher Mixed Reds (6 bottles, Summer hold)
Thacher Mixed Reds (9 bottles, Summer hold)
Thacher Mixed Reds (12 bottles, Summer hold)
Yes, 8 discussion threads per offer should do it.
@chipgreen @danandlisa @rjquillin @Winedavid59 itâs gonna be ok
@chipgreen @danandlisa @marjoryk @rjquillin @Winedavid59 Itâs a little cleaner than yesterday, default seems to go to discussion thread, not the locked thread. And itâs spelled out pretty clearly on the offer page. Personally I donât see toggling that big of a deal. And hey, Summer Hold is a big deal right? Be thankful and quit your bitchinâ ⊠ha!
@chipgreen @danandlisa @kaolis @marjoryk @rjquillin LOL
@chipgreen @danandlisa @rjquillin @Winedavid59 and salt their fields
2021 Thacher Own-Rooted Merlot
I am always amazed at the infinite variety of wine â at its ability to breathe and change and how it molds itself to food and occasion. Such is the case with the 2021 Thacher Own-Rooted Merlot, from Paso Robles.
From the label to the whiff to the palate, this is an unambiguous wine that knows what it is about.
On the nose, we smelled bright berries and a touch of smoke and oak. Simple and clear.
My wife and daughter immediately said it tasted like cherry vanilla Coke mixed at an old-fashioned soda counter. The berry flavor was of fully ripe cherries with low or no acid. As with the nose, there were moderate to light tannins.
For dinner, we made Angus beef burgers on the grill on toasted brioche buns. It was topped with garlic and butter roasted baby bella mushrooms and parmesan/cheddar cheese. The pairing was excellent with the beef and the mushrooms.
As we sat after the meal, the long finish had a slightly raisined aspect without being tart. My daughter sensed a hint of citronella that reminded her of the smell of the spiral wrist bands we had our kids wear to ward off bugs.
We loved this wine thoroughly â it has the potential to be fully adaptable to foods or an elegant complement to good conversation. Thank you for the opportunity to rat this wine!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Thacher Mixed Reds - $100 = 33.33%
The 'sphere is pretty quiet todayâŠof course it seems Wine Enthusiast always has a little something to sayâŠthe Merlot:
92 points. Cellar Selection. Dark anise and roasted blackberry aromas meet with a toasty woodspice on the nose of this bottling, which comes from own-rooted vines planted in 1991. There is a rich array of cherry and prine on the palate, as firm tannins and hearty spices ensure a long shelf life. Drink now-2034. â Matt Kettmann 3/1/25
Also, per producer website, the Merlot was released at $65, 74 cases produced. 278 cases of the Cinsault at $55.
Winery Cinsault note:
Baked raspberry tart on the nose with underlying herbal notes of black tea and a touch of suede float from the glass and invite a deeper inspection, revealing characteristics of bright strawberry, dried orange peel, or a hike through a eucalyptus grove at Montaña de
Oro. Through(sic) this bottle in the fridge for 15 minutes, get the pizza oven fired up and invite some friends over. Cellar through 2028.
fwiw (which isnât much)
@kaolis Suede is an aroma? Iâve heard of leather, but suede?
@InFrom @kaolis
I would have expected more of a corduroy note. Maybe with just a hint of suede on the elbow.
@chipgreen @kaolis
@chipgreen @InFrom Come on now, thatâs an easy oneâŠsuede has a softer impact on the senses than leather
Anyone in DFW area interested in any bottles?
Will use Summer Hold.
@MarkDaSpark And there it is. Another consideration for folks who want to share, not only do you want some and how many, but who prefers now and who wants it later.
/giphy chipper-watchful-helium
Thacher 2022 Glenrose Vineyard / Paso Robles Cinsault
I received the bottle to rat on Monday. HUZZAH! Unfortunately, I live in Florida and the bottle was literally hot to the touch when I received it. Not warm. Hot. Sigh.
I let it sit on my kitchen counter at 73 degrees for a day and opened it last night. The nose was fine. It wasnât remarkable, but it was a little fruity with red and dark fruits (I was thinking raspberries and plums). Pleasant.
The color is a gorgeous ruby red with a nice clarity.
The flavor, while not startlingly cooked as I had feared, has probably lost a lot of nuance and complexity from the heat. Not a lot happening on the front, strong notes of strawberry and black pepper or warming spices (maybe cinnamon and barest hint of clove) on the finish. It finishes pretty clean too. Reminded me of an everyday drinking pinot noir.
Honestly, I was prepared for it to be far worse for how hot it was, and while I wouldnât write home about my bottle, it is certainly drinkable. Iâm finishing it with Chicken Cacciatore tonight.
So, if it were to arrive at your house at an appropriate temperature, I would guess it would have a much more impressive nose and be more flavorful and complex, which would be great, as opposed to âgood enoughâ.
@gemeinschaft79
Did you not chill this at all prior to your Ratting?!
@rjquillin I tried it at room temp and chilled. Chilled I got less flavor and almost no nose off of it.
@rjquillin I didnât chill it until Tuesday though because I was worried about bottle shock if I incurred too much of a temp swing too quickly.
Anyone interested in sharing a case? So. NH/Boston Area.
Instabuyyyyyy
Has anyone tasted the Zinfandel?
@lynnrae1 Iâve had their zins in the past (not this year) and they are excellent
If you choose âsummer holdâ when does the order bill to credit card?
@kparty12 same way
@kparty12 @Winedavid59 Nice try!