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750ml
Bottle:
$119.88
$125.20
12 bottles:
$117.80
Blackberry and blueberry aromas with some violets. Medium- to full-bodied with very fine tannins and a juicy finish....
750ml
Bottle:
$164.00
12 bottles:
$160.72
The 2022 Fanucchi-Wood Road Zinfandel is nothing short of a blockbuster. Made from vines planted in 1890, this...
750ml
Bottle:
$118.08
$131.20
Robust yet refined, with focused raspberry and boysenberry flavors that are accented by savory anise and green...
750ml
Bottle:
$110.88
$123.20
Very dense and framed dark fruits of black cherries, cassis and violets followed by fruit cake and bitter chocolate...
750ml
Bottle:
$39.94
Dark ruby with hints of magenta in color. This Zinfandel block in the Pritchett Peaks Vineyard is a bright fruit...
750ml
Bottle:
$49.02
$51.60
6 bottles:
$43.60
The patience required for barrel aging is rewarded with a fuller, more concentrated and complex mezcal. Notes of...
750ml
Bottle:
$40.09
$42.20
6 bottles:
$34.40
Barrel aging naturally imparts both the straw color and subtle sweet notes that complement the unique characteristics...
750ml
Bottle:
$43.32
$45.60
6 bottles:
$37.20
The crisp, high proof of Xicaru Silver 102° asserts itself in all aspects, dominating on the nose and palate before...
Mezcal Primitivo Zinfandel
Although commonly confused with Tequila, Mexico’s other signature spirit, Mezcal, has its own set of unique characteristics which set it apart. Mezcal is made from the agave plant, although not the blue agave most commonly associated with Tequila production. This drink hails from the arid southern Mexican region of Oaxaca, where it has been made for generations according to traditional recipes and methods, and continues to be extremely popular worldwide today.
One of the defining features of quality Mezcal is its pungent smokiness, a heady aroma which reminds us of campfires and desert nights. This comes from the fact that the pinas (the fruit body) of the agave used in its production are slow cooked in wood fired ovens, before being distilled into a spirit. Mezcal is traditionally bottled with a worm - why? Nobody really seems to know for sure, but this unique drink continues to attract attention and convert new fans thanks to its authenticity, unique flavor and supposed health benefits. It is split into the same categories as Tequila; blanco, reposado and anejo, and although it is often used as a mixer in cocktails, it is best enjoyed straight and uncomplicated, allowing its beautiful and subtle characteristics to shine.
As with many European grape varietals, there is some debate regarding the precise origins of the Primitivo grape. Most people now agree that it probably came from Croatia, where it is still used widely in the production of red wine, and it known as Tribidrag. However, today it is a grape most commonly associated with the powerful red wines of Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, where the intense sunshine and brisk Mediterranean breezes produce grapes of remarkable character and balance. Primitivo is a dark grape, known for producing intense, inky, highly tannic wines, most notably the naturally sweet Dolce Naturale and the heavy and complex Primitivo di Manduria wines. Primitivo tends to be naturally very high in both tannin and alcohol, making it ideal for both barrel and cellar ageing, which brings out its more rounded and interesting features.
Primitivo is not the easiest grape to grow or manage, and it has had something of a difficult century. Indeed, by the 1990s, there was little interest in Puglian wines in general, and winemakers were neglecting their Primitivo vineyards and looking to other, more commercially viable varietals. However, the last decade has seen this grape come well and truly back into fashion, with new techniques and a heightened interest in native Italian grape varietals bringing Primitivo back into the spotlight. It is now widely loved for its intensity and ability to be paired with strongly flavored foods.
The precise origins of what became known as the Zinfandel grape variety are uncertain, although it has clear genetic equivalents in both Puglia and Croatia. However, when it was brought to the New World in the mid 19th century, it became known as the Zinfandel, and has been consistently popular and widely grown ever since. These very dark and very round grapes have a remarkably high sugar content, resulting in relatively high levels of alcohol in the wines they are made into, with bottles often displaying as much as fifteen percent. What makes the Zinfandel such an interesting grape, though, is the fact that the flavors produced by this varietal vary considerably depending on the climate they are grown in. In cooler valley regions, the Zinfandel grapes result in wines which hold strong flavors of tart and sweet fruits; raspberry, redcurrant and sweet cherry, held in a very smooth and silky liquid. Conversely, warmer regions result in more complex and spicy notes, including anise, pepper and hedgerow berries.