Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list.
The August Zinfandel of the Month is the 2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley.
I chose this wine as my Zinfandel of the Month as I had a chance to visit Limerick Lane last week and taste with Karen DeGolia and Chris Pittenger. More to come on this visit later this week but rest assured the winery is in great hands and the wines have never been better.
Limerick Lane Winery is in the Russian River Valley just south of the town of Healdsburg. The Del Fava family planted the oldest currently producing vineyard at Limerick Lane in 1910, a field blend consisting mostly of Zinfandel. In 1977, the Del Favas sold their thirty acre property to brothers Michael and Tom Collins. The two brothers began by selling some of the grapes to local wineries including De Loach, Ravenswood and Gary Farrell. In 1985, Limerick Lane Cellars was created. By 2009, Mike Collins was ready to sell and asked his neighbor Jake Bilbro if he would like to buy Limerick Lane and the Collins Vineyard. Several years ago the winery was sold again to Karen Francis DeGolia.
Crimson in color. 14.9% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, licorice and baking spices. Medium body with mouth watering acidity. Impeccably balanced. Bursting with bright, juicy fruits. Cherry, raspberry liqueur, cranberry and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Stunning Zinfandel from a great vintage. Drink this now and save the single vineyards wines for another year or two. Bravo!
My rating: 95 points.
The 2021 Russian River Valley Zinfandel is available for $46 on the winery website.
I blogged about Limerick Lane Vineyard previously in Top 10 Old Vine Zinfandel Vineyards and A Visit to Limerick Lane.