2021 Carol Shelton Oakley Old Vine Zinfandel [WE93]

Producer: Carol Shelton 
Region: Contra Costa County, California 
Blend: 80% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane
Year: 2021  

Retail Price: $32.00 
Our Price: $19.99* 

Carol Shelton is widely cited as the most awarded winemaker in the United States with countless Gold Medals and prestigious awards to her name.  She earned the title "Winemaker of the Year" five times and has been named one of eight "Pioneer Women Winemakers of Sonoma County".  In 2014, one of her Zins made it to Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year.  Carol Shelton was among the first women to graduate from UC Davis with a degree in enology.  She worked at several renowned cellars and with industry giants like Andre Tchelistcheff and Robert Mondavi.  In 2000, she and her husband, Mitch Mackenzie, launched their own brand with Zinfandel as the signature grape.  Preferring to concentrate on quality over quantity, they make only 5,000 cases a year.  Carol Shelton is renowned for her Zins and nicknamed the Queen of Zinfandel in the industry.  She makes delicious, full-flavored wines and is considered a guru of single-vineyard Zinfandel.  The 2021 Carol Shelton Oakley Old Vine Zinfandel Is almost Cabernet-like in its profile with green herbs and nicely structured tannins.  It has bright acidity while still creamy and a long, plush finish.  It has aromas of baked cherry, plum, Red Vines and potpourri on the nose.  On the palate there are notes of sage, blackberry, milk chocolate, a touch of caramel, cedar, toasty oak, tobacco, mocha, and dusty earth.  Enjoy!

Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points 

"Hats off to Carol Shelton for showing the old-vine expression of single-vineyard, single-variety site in Contra Costa County. This bright wine has aromas of baked cherry, plum, Red Vines and potpourri on the nose. The flavors on the palate are red currant preserve, Bing cherry, citrus zest and simmering spices, interwoven with toasty oak, tobacco leaf, mocha and a long, dry finish. Decant for 30 minutes and pair with prime rib." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"The 6-acre Planchon Vineyard was planted in 1902 in alluvial sand with no irrigation, in a warm inland corner of the Sacramento River Delta. These gnarly old head-trained vines are growing on their own deep roots, and they produce fruit with immense character and round, spicy, caramel flavors.  Beautiful nose of sage, blackberry and milk chocolate, touch of caramel and cedar from the oak, bit of dusty earth. Almost Cabernet-like in its profile, from the kiss of green herbs to nicely structured tannins. Bright acidity while still creamy, and a plush, long finish." 

Alcohol: 14.2% 

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