From an absolutely dreamy vintage, the 2018 Marietta Angeli Zinfandel comes from the Bilbro family's Angeli Estate, in the Alexander Valley. This is their top Zinfandel-based wine, and it is in incredibly fine form in the warm, sunny, and dry 2018 vintage.
Scott Bilbro, son of Marietta founder Chris, has really propelled this estate to new heights since taking over as proprietor and winemaker in 2012. One sniff and sip of this wine, and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
2018 Marietta Cellars Angeli Zinfandel
96 points Josh Spurling, 94 points Vinous Media
ORDER NOW in our online store. We will apply deal pricing once we receive your order.
I can't think of a winery that embodies the American dream more than Marietta Cellars. Founded by Chris Bilbro in 1978, the winery got its start with only a handful of purchased grapes and one wine, their Old Vine Red. This wine, along with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, helped establish Marietta Cellars as a standout winery in Sonoma and Mendocino. Today, their wines are better than ever.
The Angeli Ranch is a special piece of vineyard land. Sold to Chris Bilbro in 1990 by Viola Angeli, whose family had originally settled the land in 1886, this old vine site sits in a canyon in the heart of the Alexander Valley. The old, gnarled vines from this site yield a bright, tense, and mineral-rich expression of Zinfandel. Don't worry, there's plenty of fruit, but this is not a "jam bomb" of a Zin.
Vinous Media summed it up best. "Marietta's 2018 Zinfandel Angeli is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Inky dark plum, blueberry, mint, spice, lavender and licorice infuse the 2018 with striking depth and character. Readers will find a powerful Zinfandel with the structure and personality to age gracefully for many years. Drink 2021-2030." Yep, this is a BIG old glass of delicious American wine. If you want to drink it now, give it 30 minutes or so in the decanter, and it will bloom beautifully.
An excellent foil to charred scallions, leg of lamb, and rosemary-scented potatoes, it would also be great with a creamy chocolate dessert. It's great without food too. Once you buy it, it's totally your call.
ORDER NOW in our online store. We will apply deal pricing once we receive your order.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville