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Otherworldly Zinfandel

Crafted with grapes sourced from Lodi’s best Zinfandel vineyards, The Specialyst transcends the ordinary. Heady aromas of ripe black cherries and warm cinnamon reveal bold blackberry and spiced plum flavors cloaked in toasted vanilla. Smooth and full-bodied with a lingering finish, The Specialyst is a truly out-of-this-world experience.

2018 Lodi Zinfandel

The Specialyst 2018 Lodi Zinfandel

93 Points Tasting Panel

Tasting Notes

A truly otherworldly Zinfandel, this wine transcends the ordinary. Heady aromas of ripe black cherries and warm cinnamon reveal bold blackberry and spiced plum flavors cloaked in toasted vanilla. Smooth and full-bodied with a lingering finish, this distinctive Zinfandel is a versatile, expressive wine. Whether you enjoy it on its own or with food, The Specialyst is an out-of-this world experience.

Vineyard

Beautifully ripe fruit was selected from our top Zinfandel vineyard partners throughout Lodi – world renowned for Zinfandel.

Growing Season

Our winemaker, Jim Roblee, is obsessive about Zinfandel, so it’s no wonder he was drawn to this region. Lodi’s Zinfandel vineyards may be historic, but the character and flavors of its wines are breathtakingly original. We harvested grapes sourced from Lodi’s best vineyards later in the season, setting the stage for a richer, more expressive wine.

Winemaking

To the Zinfandel, a small amount of Petite Sirah was added to enhance depth and balance. The wine was fermented to dry in stainless steel tanks. After a 6-day maceration, the wine was pressed off of skins before undergoing a full malolactic fermentation and aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

Technical Notes

Varietals: Zinfandel: 95%, Petite Sirah: 5%
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.45
TA: 0.65g/100mL
RS: 4.6g/L

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SHARE THE MAGIC

The Specialyst invites you to conjure up some good times with friends and family. Whether you sip it on its own or enjoy a glass with food, this versatile, expressive Zinfandel makes every occasion feel a little more special. Our wine is delicious on its own and will also pair perfectly with:

PigMEAT: Pork, lamb, beef, salmon, BBQ, cured meats and charcuterie

CheeseCHEESE: Manchego, sharp cheddar, stilton, aged gruyère, gorgonzola

FruitFRUIT & VEGETABLE: Caramelized onions, roasted tomato, red peppers, grilled mushrooms, butternut squash, spiced apple, cranberries

HerbHERBS & SPICES: Rosemary, ginger, garlic, curry, harissa, cinnamon, hoisin, coriander, saffron, nutmeg, black pepper

LODI: WHERE LEGENDS ARE BORn

Generations of Lodi winemakers will tell you that legendary vines create legendary wines. With some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California—some dating back to 1888—Lodi is world-renowned for this varietal. In fact, there’s nowhere else in the world that produces Zinfandel with such a deep sense of place.

Lodi’s Zinfandel vineyards may be historic, but the character and flavors of its wines are breathtakingly original. Thanks to its extraordinary Zinfandel, Lodi was designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1986. Today, it enjoys a reputation for quality and innovation as a world-class wine region.

Although Lodi doesn’t enjoy the elevated status of the Napa Valley, it is one of California’s oldest and most esteemed wine regions. With seven distinctive sub-appellations, loamy soils and a desirable Mediterranean climate, the Lodi AVA is strikingly similar to the Chateauneuf du Pape region in France.

Situated roughly 100 miles east of the San Francisco Bay near the Sacramento River Delta, Lodi enjoys an idyllic climate for growing grapes. Hot, dry days punctuated with cool delta breezes in the evening enable grapes to develop full, fruit-forward flavors balanced by bright acidity.

Our Commitment To Sustainability

Here at The Specialyst, we believe in this vision for the future and are actively following sustainable practices in our vineyards and winery. We are committed to preserving the environment and surrounding ecosystem for generations to come.

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