The Specialyst Lodi Zinfandel 2020
In stock
Purchase this item and get 113 PointsKShs2,610 incl. of VAT
Unlike Zinfandel from warmer, higher yield California regions, Lodi’s old vines and Mediterranean climate produce a wine with more concentration and complexity than the fruit forward, simpler style Zinfandel is often known for. The small addition of Petite Sirah also sets this apart from a straight varietal bottling, adding structure and depth without losing the generous, spice driven character that defines the grape. For buyers in Kenya wanting a bold, full bodied California red with real history behind the vines, this is one of the more characterful options available at The Wine Box.
Tasting Notes
Deep garnet in the glass, dense enough to hint at real concentration. The nose opens with blackberry jam and dark cherry, black pepper threading underneath, joined by toasted oak, vanilla bean and a touch of clove from the barrel ageing. On the palate the entry is rich and generous, velvety tannins supporting a core of ripe plum and dark, jammy fruit. A meaty, savoury quality runs alongside the fruit, fennel and star anise adding real complexity rather than simple sweetness. Baking spice carries through the mid-palate, and a faint smokiness lingers into a long, warming finish. This is Zinfandel in its most confident, full bodied form, built to be noticed rather than to sit quietly in the background.
Food Pairing
This wine’s richness and spice make it a natural match for the grill. Barbecued ribs and grilled lamb chops are the strongest pairings, the velvety tannins standing up to char and fat without either side overwhelming the other. Spiced sausages and aged cheddar round out the more casual end of the table. Smoky eggplant or a rich mushroom based dish also work well, picking up the wine’s own smokiness on the finish. For a Nairobi braai or a weekend dinner with real flavour on the plate, this is a bottle that holds its own against genuinely bold food.
QUICK ANSWERS
What makes Lodi Zinfandel different from Zinfandel grown elsewhere in California?
Lodi is home to some of the oldest continuously producing Zinfandel vines in the world, several dating back to 1888. That vine age, combined with the region’s Mediterranean climate, produces lower yields and more concentrated fruit than younger plantings typically deliver.
Is this wine dry or does it carry noticeable sweetness?
Fully dry. The jammy blackberry and cherry character reads as ripe rather than sweet, and the finish closes on spice and smoke rather than any residual sugar.
Why is there Petite Sirah blended into a Zinfandel?
The small 4% addition adds structure and depth to the wine’s tannins, giving it more backbone than a straight varietal Zinfandel typically carries, while still letting the Zinfandel’s fruit character lead.
What food pairs best with this wine?
Barbecued ribs and grilled lamb chops are the strongest matches. Spiced sausages, aged cheddar and smoky eggplant or mushroom dishes also work well against the wine’s richness.
Should I let this wine breathe before serving?
A short decant of 20 to 30 minutes helps open up the spice and smoke notes, though it drinks well without one too given its already generous, forward character.
What should I do if this bottle is out of stock?
Our customer service team can help you find a suitable alternative or source the product where possible.
Can I get The Specialyst Lodi Zinfandel delivered same day in Nairobi?
Nairobi orders placed before 9 PM qualify for same-day delivery, typically completed within a 1-hour window. Free delivery applies to orders above KES 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside Nairobi are delivered nationwide across Kenya within 24 to 48 hours.
Description
Old vine Zinfandel from Lodi, home to some of California’s oldest continuously producing vines, some dating back to 1888. Order online in Nairobi through The Wine Box.
Lodi holds a peculiar distinction in American wine, some of its Zinfandel vines have been producing fruit since 1888, making the region genuinely unmatched anywhere else in the world for old vine Zinfandel. That kind of vine age changes what ends up in the glass, lower yields, deeper concentration, and a sense of place that younger plantings simply can’t replicate. This bottle draws on exactly that history, sourced from established Lodi vineyards and built almost entirely around Zinfandel, with a small addition of Petite Sirah for structure.
The Mediterranean climate that defines Lodi, warm days moderated by cooling delta breezes off the San Joaquin River, gives the fruit time to ripen fully without losing acidity. Wine Enthusiast’s Stacy Briscoe reviewed the 2020 vintage as an altogether balanced Zin, calling out its range of aromas and flavours from superripe cherry through fennel and a meaty, umami quality that’s unusual for the variety. For a Nairobi buyer wanting a genuinely characterful California red rather than a generic bottling, this is a wine built around a real sense of where it comes from.
Product Facts
- Vintage: 2020
- Producer: The Specialyst, Trinchero Family Estates
- Country: United States
- Region : California
- Grape Variety: 96% Zinfandel, 4% Petite Sirah
- Category: Red Wine
- Style: Full bodied, fruit forward red
- ABV: 14.1%
- Production Method: Aged in oak barrels for structure and spice
- Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Accolades
- Decanter World Wine Awards: 90/100
- Wine Enthusiast: 90/100
About The Winery
Brothers John and Mario Trinchero travelled from Italy to St. Helena, California, in 1947, purchasing Sutter Home Winery near Napa Valley and crushing their first harvest of three tons of grapes the following year. That family operation has since grown into Trinchero Family Estates, one of the largest family owned wine companies in the United States, producing across multiple regions and price tiers. The Specialyst sits within that portfolio as a Lodi focused Zinfandel label, drawing on the region’s old vine heritage to produce a bold, characterful red. The wines are available through The Wine Box in Kenya.
We provide FREE DELIVERY for orders above Kshs. 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside of Nairobi will attract delivery charges, which will be calculated based on the cart size and your location. Orders outside of Nairobi are delivered through a logistics partner Fargo Courier.
We deliver anywhere* in Kenya and Orders outside of Nairobi will attract delivery charges, which will be calculated based on the cart size and your location. Orders outside of Nairobi are delivered through a logistics partner Fargo Courier.
*Please note that conditions apply to deliveries to Lamu and some coastal regions.
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