2018 The Messenger Zinfandel 28 Moon Mountain District Sonoma County 750 ml

Farming Zinfandel on Moon Mountain is a difficult, daring, labor intensive task. 

And it’s worth it.

The poor, rocky soils of the windy western slopes of Mount Veeder—where dynamite was once essential to grade these terraces—produce spindly little grape clusters packed with hard-won concentration and flavor. That’s why giants like Bedrock, Louis Martini, and Robert Biale all make Moon Mountain Zinfandel—and charge $55 to $100 for it.

When our friend Rob McDonald poured The Messenger Zinfandel 28 for us, its intense black plum and blackberry fruit and broad, lush palate gave us every indication we were looking at a $45 bottle. But we scored a massive price cut by claiming every available bottle, making this one of our Zinfandel deals of the year.

A longtime veteran of the California wine industry, Rob managed to get access to a small lot of grapes from this vineyard through some right-place, right-time serendipity. In addition to running a small library of his own labels, he was the founder of Old Bridge Cellars—an import business for some of the most revered estates in Australia, including d’Arenberg, Leeuwin Estate, and Jasper Hill. When it comes to New World opulence, Rob is one of the best barometers of excellence in the country, and he has a truffle-hound’s nose for fruit.

That nose led him to Moon Mountain, and his 2018 The Messenger Zinfandel is a testament to his acumen, showcasing aromas of dark plums, summer blackberry bunches, and lilacs and a silken palate. The only way to achieve this sumptuous fruit concentration and detailed structure is with first-class terroir and meticulous farming.