HOLY MOLY, THIS STUFF IS GOOD! The 2015 Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel comes to us from the fine folks at Banshee Wines. This is just their second vintage of this wine, but I’m gonna’ go ahead and say that this one easily competes with Zins at twice the price.
Layered with notes of rich and ripe fruit, spice, and mocha, I’m giving this one 94 points. And at less than $20/bottle, you won’t find a better Sonoma County Zin for the money!
2015 Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel
94 points Team Table Wine
This vintage is sold out. Click here to order the current release in our online store.
I tasted this one this past Friday, and immediately knew it was going to be one of our new wine features. Awesome wine, great people, great price……win, win, win. Coming from 50 to to 105-year-old bush vines planted in Dry Creek and Russian River, this is classic Sonoma County Zinfandel.
As the folks at Valravn say, “Zinfandel is America’s true heritage varietal, like Pinot Noir is to Burgundy and Cabernet is to Bordeaux. This noble grape has been in California since the 1850’s, surviving two World Wars and the dark days of Prohibition.” And today, the grape is producing better wines than ever. Especially when it’s in the hands of talented folks like these.
In the glass, it’s deeply colored, nearly opaque/purple. The bouquet is full of ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, blackberry compote, pepper, mocha, and espresso roast. Sound good? Wait until you taste it! Those aromas continue on the rich and zesty palate. Notes of framboise, ripe red berries, and licorice-laced black pepper coat every inch of the palate. Though rich and ripe, it maintains freshness that is a hallmark of these ancient vines.
So there you go. Top-flight tasting Zinfandel at a middle-of-the-road price! Drink it with chili, beef stew, or friends while watching the game. You’ll thank me! We’ve got 10 cases to sell, and that’s it — stop by the store to pick some up. Cheers and happy drinking and eating in Asheville.
This vintage is sold out. Click here to order the current release in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville