I have to admit I'm a fan of Marietta Cellars Old Vines Lot Blends ... they're non-vintage, so you're never sure of the year you're drinking but looking on-line I think I can safely say this one was released sometime in 2008, making this blend 5 years old. It's primarily made from Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane and I'm telling you I don't think I've tasted one that's better then this one ... not sure if I've had one as old either: plum, vanilla, chocolate, sweet cherry with other rich red fruit along with a mix of sweet red and black licorice this truly was a beauty to sit, sip and enjoy dinner around the bbq with.
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This non-vintage Zinfandel based wine has long been a favorite and I usually buy it when I am in the states because it happens to be cheap as chips down there. I guess it's just the simplicity of the wine that gets me, the fruit and spice but ultimately the plumminess. The nose on this now well aged version (the current release is No. 58) is full of plum, vanilla, dried blackberry and spiced currants ... the taste has a juicy and plummy note with vanilla, cola with a lovely bit of spice on the finish. If you read the tasting notes from the winemaker from when this wine was released it says, "The lush berry fruit and peppery spice are the hallmarks of the nose, and the mouth is big and lush with ample acidity and tannin for a very smooth balanced finish." ... I would have to say it still has all that and a little more.
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Spicy and fruity. Thick mouthfeel. Very tasty, although a bit of a fruit bomb. Did not see the alcohol content, but guessed it is somewhat high. Somewhat complex for a wine of this sort.
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I have been consistently pleased by these amazing value field blends over the years. Typically a mix of zinfandel, syrah, carignan, petite sirah and grenach (and who knows what else), Marietta's wines are typically lush, very spicy, fruit-forward non-nonsense wines to sit around and drink with friends, watching a movie, or grilling something.
The blends change with each "lot" and the percentages are something of a secret. Lot 44 is a tad disappointing compared to the last few, and seems a little more reliant on carignan, with a strong presence of the trademark carignan roughness. It also seems just that much lighter that than previous lots, with a shorter finish. There is still that nice spice on the front end, and for a $10 wine, one could do vastly worse. I still stand by these wines as something wine lovers watching their pocketbooks ought to seek out, as the overall quality far outpaces the price. Lots are typically nicely balanced, and this one is no exception.
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Dark red. Stewed fruit nose, blackberry and raspberry. A rounded, slightly sweet, taste, red berries and plum. A fine everyday drinking wine, without complexity.
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5/12/2013 - owr Likes this wine: 90 Points
I have to admit I'm a fan of Marietta Cellars Old Vines Lot Blends ... they're non-vintage, so you're never sure of the year you're drinking but looking on-line I think I can safely say this one was released sometime in 2008, making this blend 5 years old. It's primarily made from Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane and I'm telling you I don't think I've tasted one that's better then this one ... not sure if I've had one as old either: plum, vanilla, chocolate, sweet cherry with other rich red fruit along with a mix of sweet red and black licorice this truly was a beauty to sit, sip and enjoy dinner around the bbq with.
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11/1/2012 - owr Likes this wine: 88 Points
This non-vintage Zinfandel based wine has long been a favorite and I usually buy it when I am in the states because it happens to be cheap as chips down there. I guess it's just the simplicity of the wine that gets me, the fruit and spice but ultimately the plumminess. The nose on this now well aged version (the current release is No. 58) is full of plum, vanilla, dried blackberry and spiced currants ... the taste has a juicy and plummy note with vanilla, cola with a lovely bit of spice on the finish. If you read the tasting notes from the winemaker from when this wine was released it says, "The lush berry fruit and peppery spice are the hallmarks of the nose, and the mouth is big and lush with ample acidity and tannin for a very smooth balanced finish." ... I would have to say it still has all that and a little more.
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3/10/2011 - ckinv368 wrote: 88 Points
Spicy and fruity. Thick mouthfeel. Very tasty, although a bit of a fruit bomb. Did not see the alcohol content, but guessed it is somewhat high. Somewhat complex for a wine of this sort.
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3/30/2010 - williamswhine wrote: 94 Points
Deep, dark purple in color; big legs; light on the nose; full body, fruity/jammy flavor - huge taste, a tad sweet. Kicks ass in the mouth!
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2/18/2009 - rp4711 wrote:
good deal
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3/8/2008 - ProfessorHTF wrote: 82 Points
I have been consistently pleased by these amazing value field blends over the years. Typically a mix of zinfandel, syrah, carignan, petite sirah and grenach (and who knows what else), Marietta's wines are typically lush, very spicy, fruit-forward non-nonsense wines to sit around and drink with friends, watching a movie, or grilling something.
The blends change with each "lot" and the percentages are something of a secret. Lot 44 is a tad disappointing compared to the last few, and seems a little more reliant on carignan, with a strong presence of the trademark carignan roughness. It also seems just that much lighter that than previous lots, with a shorter finish. There is still that nice spice on the front end, and for a $10 wine, one could do vastly worse. I still stand by these wines as something wine lovers watching their pocketbooks ought to seek out, as the overall quality far outpaces the price. Lots are typically nicely balanced, and this one is no exception.
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2/8/2008 - mudd233 wrote: 86 Points
Dark red. Stewed fruit nose, blackberry and raspberry. A rounded, slightly sweet, taste, red berries and plum. A fine everyday drinking wine, without complexity.
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