2022 Carol Shelton Monga Zin, Lopez Vineyard, Cucamonga Valley AVA, California

The"Monga Zin" Old Vine Zinfandel delivers a concentrated and full-bodied profile driven by century-old, dry-farmed vines from the historic Lopez Vineyard, a historic vineyard planted in 1918.  The wine opens with vibrant aromas of deep black cherry, red raspberry, and orange zest, seamlessly layered with notes of anise and cedar. A "humongous" and deeply concentrated mouthful of fruit. On the palate, it unfolds into a massive mouthful of ripe berry patch flavors, red plum, and layers of dusty vanilla-caramel oak, graham crackers, and rich cocoa seamlessly integrate with a fragrant mélange of Moroccan-Asian baking spices (Chinese five-spice, white pepper, and saffron). The mouthfeel is notably creamy yet brightened by a tangy cherry acidity, structured with firm-sturdy tannins and a long, lush finish.

Super concentrated. Quite drinkable now, but will age a good 15-20 years. Very mouthfilling!" 

90% Zinfandel, 4% Touriga Nacional, 4% Carignane, 2% Viognier 

I think you get the picture...and by the way, it is usually sold out!

Owner and winemaker Carol Shelton is an industry trailblazer famously crowned the "Queen of Zin" and recognized as one of the first twelve women to graduate from the UC Davis enology program in 1978 [scu.edu]. Throughout her career, she shattered gender barriers by performing rigorous cellar work, mastered flavor chemistry as an early authority on yeast strain performance, and earned "Winemaker of the Year" honors five times. After working for nearly two decades at Windsor Vineyards, she launched Carol Shelton Wines in 2000 alongside her husband to focus entirely on preserving and championing California's historic, single-vineyard old vines.