Affectionately known as “OVR,” Marietta’s Old Vine Red is a rich, hearty, and spicy red made to replicate the Sonoma and Mendocino County red blends of old. A groundbreaking combination of varietals and multiple vintages first produced in 1982, this wine has blazed the path for red blends for decades.
Coming on the heels of the 95 point-rated (Wine Advocate) Lot #73, the new release has some very big shoes to fill, and I'm here to tell you it filled those shoes and then some! Ripe, spicy, and supple, this Zinfandel-based blend is one of the top red wine values produced in our country. I bought enough to fill a small swimming pool, but with deal pricing in place, it will go fast.
Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot #74
California's greatest red wine value. 94 points - Yours Truly
ORDER NOW in our online store.
I'll get the juices flowing with my own personal tasting notes. Great nose of spiced plum, briary raspberry, white pepper, violet, and baking spice. Medium to full-bodied with great energy on the palate along with silky tannins and zesty acidity. Despite being plump and juicy, this is no fruit bomb, and there's an electric vibrancy here that suggests this would pair with all sorts of meals and occasions. Tremendous QPR (quality-to-price ratio), buy a ton.
Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Trust me, it's great, and for over 40 years, this has been California's top red blend value. Produced entirely from Marietta's organic estate vineyards, this isn't just one of the best red wine values produced in our country, it's one of the top red wine values produced in the world. It's pretty much impossible to find anything negative to say about this wine, so I'm not going to. It's perfect for all sorts of occasions, from everyday sipping to meals involving grilled foods.
Founded in 1979 by Chris Bilbro and inspired by his Aunt Marietta’s good home cooking, hard work, and honesty, Marietta Cellars continues to be a family run affair. These days, Chris’s son Scott runs the operation with same passion as his father. Since taking over for his father, Scott converted all of the family's vineyards to organics, and the wines are better than ever.
For many years, all of the grapes for Marietta’s Old Vine Red were purchased from various grape growers, but today the family owns over 400 acres scattered throughout Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. With such vast acreage under their watch, the Bilbros are able to select the best fruit each year to maintain consistency and quality in this wine.
Like I said before, this is a wine that drinks just fine without food, but do yourself a favor and try it with your favorite barbecue — chicken, pork, or beef. You’ll thank me!
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville