Cosentino Winery’s Cigar Old Vine Zinfandel is a very different wine, ripe and flavorful but not sweet. It’s voluptuous and elegant yet bold. Not too many other wines on the shelf will carry this profile but it’s definitely one to explore.

The winery: Cosentino was one of the first wineries to produce a licensed Meritage or Bordeaux inspired blend in California, and they continue to produce a series of wines including Flagship, Reserve and The Series, high-quality wines from Lodi.

Winemaker Marty Peterson, who is the fourth generation from Lodi, has a family history of farming and connections that run deep into the grape-growing community there. He focuses on making wines that show confidence and elegance, showcasing the ripe fruit that is Lodi’s signature.

Why like it: This wine is a horse of a different color, rich, red and intriguing. Highly aromatic of lavender and ripe berries, the Cigar Zinfandel leads to a host of bold flavors such as cherry, plum, walnut, fig and spice. Tannins are present but calm and smooth while just a bit of orange presents itself on the finish. It has all the qualities of ripe, old vines including lavender, violet, coffee, sage and a smoky cedar-wood element. It’s a really different but highly appealing wine.

Read more at source: santacruzsentinel