Carol Shelton’s “Monga Zin" is sourced from a 1918 vineyard in Southern California that really doesn’t look at all like a vineyard. Its bush vines look more like desert creosote until you are standing right next to them, and their roots can reach down 50 feet deep. It yields a mere .12 tons per acre and makes for a singular Zinfandel. Carol’s signature acidity drives the unique profile, with bold pepper and site-specific mineral notes alongside deep black fruit and dusty nutmeg. It is California heritage in a bottle, and fruit from this source is not available to Carol every year, so get it when you can.
Carol Shelton, Cucamonga Valley (California) Old Vine Zinfandel 2019
By Rich Cook