2015 Seghesio Family Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County 750 ml

When it comes to old vine California Zinfandel, Seghesio almost always has the last word. The family practically invented the category after all, and Zinfandel lovers are willing to pay top dollar year after year for their signature bottlings. That's why we’re thrilled to offer our best Seghesio deal ever on this double 94-point 2015 Old Vine Zinfandel at 28% off!

In his 94-point review, Jeb Dunnuck called this 2015 “a straight-up classic expression of this variety” while the same score made it the highest rated Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate—significant considering Parker himself declared that “Seghesio continues to set a high standard for quality and attractive value.” Indeed, the Old Vine’s $40 retail price was already “attractive,” but at $29 it’s a downright gorgeous steal.

A deep ruby color hints at the sensuous, sun-kissed blackberry, baked cranberry, and spiced red plum aromas that fill the glass. A few swirls unlock a surprisingly sophisticated crescendo of secondary aromatics—a hallmark of Seghesio’s 70-year-old vines—with notes of dried rose petal, licorice, clove, sandalwood, and dried orange peel. Rich and dense, the palate leads with beautiful polish while fine, grippy tannins are softened by an array of warm fruit tones.

A long, savory finish punctuates the ancient-vine concentration, making it clear this delicious Zinfandel is hitting its perfect stride after five years of age. It will continue evolving, even improving, over the next decade

Established in 1895 when Edoardo Seghesio planted his first Zinfandel vineyard in the Alexander Valley, the Seghesios are one of the great Italian heritage families in Northern California (and there are many of those). Second only to the Foppianos as the oldest winemaking family in Sonoma, the Seghesios weathered Prohibition, the Great Depression, and even a 1996 blaze that scorched the winery in order to establish themselves today as “California's elite Zinfandel specialists,” in the words of Wine Spectator.

Five generations and 125 vintages later, this 2015 Old Vine Zinfandel relies on that very heritage for its inimitable complexity. From thick, gnarled, 70-year-old vines planted on the Dry Creek bench and the cooler southwest Alexander Valley, its ancient grape clonal material dates back to the turn of the century.

This is key to understanding why Seghesio’s old vine bottlings are held up as the international paragon for the heights great Zinfandel can achieve. The older the vines, the thicker the trunks, resulting in root systems that become devigorized over time, producing fewer and smaller grapes. Vastly more intense than larger grapes from younger vines, these tiny berries better highlight Zinfandel's briary spice character and enable it to evolve gracefully in the cellar.

If you’ve yet to experience old vine Zinfandel, this is nothing less than a textbook example from a banner vintage.

2015 was one of the earliest harvests on record in Sonoma County. Although the summer was generally mild, spring’s dry warm weather accelerated vine development, ultimately producing even smaller berries than usual, with even more concentrated flavors that are palpable in every sip from this gorgeous bottle.