Oak Ridge Winery 2012 Old Zin Vines

Lodi, California, is the Zinfandel capital of the world. It is the largest producer in the world of that special grape, with about 360 million pounds of Zin grapes produced annually.
Oak Ridge Winery is the oldest operating winery in Lodi. They feature some Zinfandel vines that are more than 120 years old. To wine lovers, old vines equal good times. As the vines grow older, they produce less fruit. Sounds bad, right? Wrong! Although the yield is smaller, the fruit is intensely flavored and expressive.
The Oak Ridge Winery Old Zin Vines is 96% Zinfandel with a 4% dash of Petite Sirah. The alcohol content is 13.95%, just squeezing under the 14% mark, which for me can signal a wine that is too “hot.”
The OZV has light tannins that contribute to a smooth and silky texture. The bold flavor trumpets with black cherry. There are threads of cola with a dash of vanilla and perhaps licorice.
It costs $12 to $16 depending on where you find it. That’s a lot of flavor at a reasonable price. Lodi is the place to go for Zinfandel and this signature blend is a sure-fire hit for a casual evening or a meal with friends.
Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.