{"title":"Andis Original Grandpere","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"andis-original-grandpere-zinfandel-2020","title":"Andis Original Grandpere Zinfandel 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndis Original Grandpere Zinfandel 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 750ml, full-bodied old-vine Zinfandel from Amador County's Sierra Foothills, produced from ungrafted vines planted in 1869. Sourced from the Original Grandpère Vineyard — widely recognized as the oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard in America — this bottling earned 88 points from Wine Enthusiast for its vibrant balance of fruit, spice, and structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: ~15.5%  |  Origin: Shenandoah Valley, Amador County, Sierra Foothills AVA  |  100% Old Vine Zinfandel  |  Winery: Andis Wines, Plymouth, CA\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAndis Wines operates out of Plymouth, California, in the heart of Amador County's Shenandoah Valley. The Original Grandpère Vineyard, planted in 1869, contains truly pre-phylloxera, own-rooted Zinfandel vines — a living piece of California viticultural history that survived the root louse epidemic precisely because the vines were never grafted onto American rootstock. Andis is one of only four wineries granted access to fruit from this storied site, and the 2020 vintage was produced in collaboration with renowned winemaker Philippe Melka, whose involvement speaks to the seriousness of the project.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh red cherry and cranberry lead into more complex layers of cinnamon, cardamom, and black tea. A background thread of dried black cherry and fruit leather gives the nose both brightness and depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is rich and ripe, with exuberant raspberry and blackberry fruit at its core. Mid-palate, chocolate and nutmeg emerge alongside moderate tannins that frame the fruit without overwhelming it. Good acidity keeps everything fresh and lifted, giving the wine a vibrancy that belies its full-bodied weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is medium-long, with lingering cinnamon spice, dried cherry, and a subtle tannic grip. A final note of dark chocolate and warm baking spice lingers as the fruit slowly fades.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Original Grandpere Zinfandel\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled glass that allows the complex aromatics to fully open. Decanting for 30 minutes rewards with even greater integration of fruit and spice. For food-focused pairings, it shines alongside grilled or braised meats: try it with slow-smoked tri-tip where the wine's berry fruit and tannin match the char and fat; with lamb merguez sausage where its spice notes echo the harissa and cumin; or alongside a rich mushroom and pancetta pizza where the acidity cuts through the richness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a California wine enthusiast who values vineyard provenance and history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA special dinner featuring grilled red meats or hearty Italian cuisine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a historically significant bottling to a Zinfandel-focused cellar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSharing with fellow collectors who appreciate rare, old-vine expressions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Original Grandpere Zinfandel taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 2020 vintage delivers ripe raspberry and blackberry fruit layered with cinnamon, chocolate, nutmeg, and black tea, all balanced by moderate tannins and fresh acidity. It is a full-bodied yet vibrant Zinfandel with notable complexity from its 150-plus-year-old vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Original Grandpere compare to Andis Shake Ridge Ranch Reserve Zinfandel?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are 2020-vintage Amador County Zinfandels from Andis, but the Shake Ridge Ranch Reserve scored higher at 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and tends toward a more structured, site-specific mountain expression. The Original Grandpere trades some of that intensity for historical pedigree and the distinctive character that only pre-phylloxera, own-rooted vines can provide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Original Grandpere Zinfandel good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — its balance of ripe fruit, moderate tannins, and aromatic complexity make it well-suited for thoughtful, unaccompanied sipping, especially after a brief decant to let the layers unfold.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Original Grandpere Zinfandel made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Andis Wines in Plymouth, California, within the Shenandoah Valley sub-region of Amador County's Sierra Foothills AVA. The fruit comes from the Original Grandpère Vineyard, whose 1869-planted, ungrafted vines make it the oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Original Grandpere Zinfandel?\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow-smoked barbecue ribs complement the wine's berry richness and spice. Braised lamb shanks echo its warm cardamom and cinnamon notes. Aged cheddar or Gouda stand up to the full body and tannin. Grilled portobello mushrooms bring out earthy undertones, and dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Original Grandpere Zinfandel come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Original Grandpere Zinfandel worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e This bottling positions in the premium tier for California Zinfandel, justified by the extraordinary provenance of America's oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard, the involvement of Philippe Melka, and the extreme scarcity of fruit — only four wineries receive allocations from these vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Original Grandpere Zinfandel?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery few wines in California can claim a direct, unbroken connection to 1869. The Original Grandpère Vineyard's ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines produce fruit with a character that simply cannot be replicated by younger plantings, and the 2020 vintage captures that distinctiveness in a balanced, expressive package. Philippe Melka's guiding hand in the cellar adds another layer of credibility, ensuring the winemaking matches the quality of the source material. For anyone serious about Zinfandel, this is a rare chance to taste living history in a glass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Andis Original Grandpere","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44839371210921,"sku":"39465","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Andis-Original-Grandpere-Zinfandel__62196.jpg?v=1730520306"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/andis-original-grandpere.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}