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The Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 is an $8.99 Aldi exclusive, it used to be $7.99, but things cost more now. This wine is made for Aldi by a wine company in Greenfield, California, inside the Monterey AVA in the Central Coast AVA.
A family-owned winery in Greenfield produces many of the California wines for Aldi (Trader Joe’s, too). I would name them, but I am not positive they made this Zinfandel.
Lodi is located in the river delta sourcing from San Pablo Bay. Lodi is east and south of Napa in an area that would be too hot to grow grapes if it were not for the cool breezes coming from the Bay. Lodi has become well known for the ZInfandel grape.
Zinfandel originally came from Croatia by way of Puglia, Italy. But, there is something about the soil and climate in Lodi that makes these ZInfandel’s unique. The Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 does not have technical notes, so we do not have production details.
Lodi vine grapes? There is not any official definition of old vines are what the producer says they are. But the practical standard is any vine over 40 years old. Commerical vineyards typically replant their vines every 40 years if not sooner. They want the vines at the peak of production.
Luckily for Lodi, the Zinfandel vines planted during the White Zinfandel craze of the 60s and 70s are now turning 50. Other old vine Zinfandel vineyards are much older, but older vines are plentiful. For much of the 1900s Zinfandel was not popular enough to go to the trouble and expense of replanting.
The Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 has been reviewed by a couple of wine magazines and has faired well for a value-priced wine, the 2019 version received 90 points by Tasting.com. The 2020 vintage has a new label, scarlet red with a black S and velvet-textured paper, a nice touch for an $8.99 wine. The alcohol content is moderate for a Lodi Zin 13.5%.
The Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 Tasting Notes
The color is still see-thru black cherry red. The nose is warm strawberry pie, dark chocolate, soft spice, black pepper, plum, and sour cherry. The Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 a dry, well-balanced, elegant Zinfandel.
This Zinfandel tastes like blackberry, blueberry, licorice, a touch of rounded spice, and ripe plum. The mid-palate brings cherry, black coffee, and raspberry, with a late slap of exotic spice. The tannins are integrated into the body of the wine and the acidity is balanced.
The Summary
- The Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 is a very solid Zin for an excellent price ($8.99).
- This is a balanced wine with a good structure and pleasing flavor.
- I can think of a couple of more expensive Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel wines that do not match up to the Scarlet Path Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2020.
