Configuration: (6 x 750mL)

Winery: Scar of the Sea

Appellation: Lopez Vineyard, Cucamonga Valley, San Bernardino, California

Philosophy/Practices: Organic, dry-farmed

Variety: 100% zinfandel

ABV: 13%

Deeply spiced blackberry, just-ripe/cold black currant, purple florals, black slate and earth.

Why we love it: A number of years ago, a wave of “new California” was led, in part, by a brilliant guy named Pax Mahle who made syrahs that were barely 11% alcohol (and beautifully balanced, at that) at Wind Gap (since sold, RIP). What most of us up here in Ontario miss even today is a quieter renaissance of old vine, heritage Californian varieties – especially zinfandel. Led by growers who are committed to preserving these old vine sites (Julian Erggelet at Erggelet Brothers, Tegan Passalacqua, Abe Schoener, etc.), those who master an Old Vine Zin capture both the brambly, deeply spiced spiced fruit, as well as the lifted, elegant structure that the centenarian vines yield. Lighter extractions mean that the wine can look almost Pinot-like in a glass, yet retains the intensity of aroma and flavour that you might expect from the variety. These are soulful wines; a whole other dimension of California that is most often overshadowed by lesser examples of the variety, and that is lost in the sea of demands for Pinot and Cabernet. In all of my travels to California, Old Vine Zinfandel became the most surprising, and quite nostalgic, new love of mine.

Cucamonga Vineyard is in the region south of LA in Southern California. It was planted in 1918 and is CCOF Certified Organic. With Mikey’s signature touch of opulence in a delicate, moderate-alcohol frame, this is a gorgeous expression of this very special, very historical site. I asked him for this wine specially, and we’re delighted to be able to share it for the first time here in Ontario.