Carol Shelton is on top of her game with this 2021 Zinfandel. Made from organically grown, wild-looking 65 year old or older vines predominately from Mendocino, the wine was fermented on the wild yeasts. Apparently that’s how she came up with the name. Anyway, after a 30 day maceration, the wine was aged (tamed?) for 12 months in a combination of American and French oak, 10% new. It is a textbook Old Vine Zin with aromas of ripe plum and raspberry, month-coating flavors and beautiful old vine plush texture. It is big and full bodied with lots of fruit along with some earthy notes and gentle tannin coming through in the finish.
Carol Shelton, Mendocino County (California) Zinfandel 2021
By Norm Roby