The Specialyst Zinfandel
The Specialyst is crafted from beautifully ripe fruit sourced from the best vineyards in Lodi – world renowned for its Zinfandel grapes.
Lodi’s Zinfandel vineyards may be historic, but the character and flavours of its wines are breathtakingly original.
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 flavours balanced by bright acidity.
The Specialyst blend of 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petite Sirah grapes were both fermented to ‘dry’ in stainless steel tanks. After a 6-day maceration to extract the classic varietal characteristics, wine was pressed off of skins followed by a full malo-lactic fermentation. It is aged in a combination of American and French oak barrels (25% new), carefully matched to each vineyard’s character, for 10 months.
Rich and heady aromas of ripe black cherries and warm cinnamon reveal bold blackberry and spiced plum flavours cloaked in toasted vanilla. Smooth and full-bodied with a lingering caramel finish.
Delicious on its own and will also pair perfectly with grilled vegetables and meats, hearty pastas and aged cheeses.
Specifically:
- Pork, lamb, beef, salmon, BBQ, cured meats and charcuterie.
- Manchego, sharp cheddar, stilton, aged gruyere and gorgonzola cheeses.
- Caramelized onions, roasted tomato, red peppers, grilled mushrooms, butternut squash, spiced apple and cranberries.
- Herb and spice flavours such asrosemary, ginger, garlic, curry, harissa, cinnamon, hoisin, coriander, saffron, nutmeg, black pepper.
About the Producer
Specialyst Wines
The Specialyst Winery follows generations of Lodi winemakers who 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.
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.
Specialyst Wines are part of ‘Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing’ and actively follow best practices in their vineyards and winery. They are committed to preserving the environment and surrounding ecosystem for generations to come.
