{"title":"Jeff Runquist Z","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"jeff-runquist-z-zinfandel","title":"Jeff Runquist Z Zinfandel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJeff Runquist Z Zinfandel\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bold, old-vine California Zinfandel from Amador County's Sierra Foothills, bottled at 750ml with an ABV ranging from 14.5% to 14.9% depending on vintage. Sourced from century-old vines at Massoni Ranch — some originally planted in the 1890s — this expression earned a Gold Medal at the Orange County Fair Wine Competition for the 2020 vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.5–14.9%  |  Origin: Amador County, Sierra Foothills, California  |  Old Vine Zinfandel  |  Producer: Jeff Runquist Wines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJeff Runquist is a veteran California winemaker with decades of experience working across the Sierra Foothills and Central Valley. The \"Z\" Zinfandel draws fruit from Massoni Ranch, a dry-farmed property at roughly 1,200 feet elevation where old-vine Zinfandel was planted in successive blocks during the 1920s and 1930s, with some rootstock tracing back to the late 1890s. The wine is blended with a portion of Petite Sirah — typically ranging from 8% to 21% depending on vintage conditions — and aged in small oak barrels, which contribute structure and a layer of toasty complexity to the finished wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Classic Zinfandel aromatics lead with ripe black raspberry and dark cherry, followed by boysenberry and a bouquet of toast, vanilla, and caramel imparted by oak aging. There is an underlying warmth that signals the ripe fruit character without veering into jamminess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is fruit-forward and generous, with red raspberry and currants hitting the mid-palate alongside toasty oak. The Petite Sirah component adds a creamy, luscious texture and structural backbone. Integrated mature tannins keep the wine balanced despite its concentration, and the moderate alcohol level avoids the hot finish that plagues many high-ABV Zinfandels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium-long, with juicy red fruit flavors lingering alongside a pleasant background of oak spice. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean and inviting close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Runquist Z Zinfandel\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine drinks best at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, poured into a large-bowled red wine glass to let the aromatics open fully. It benefits from 15–20 minutes of air after opening. Pair it alongside grilled and smoked meats: it stands up beautifully to a charcoal-grilled tri-tip, holds its own against slow-smoked pork ribs with a spicy barbecue glaze, and matches the richness of a mushroom and sausage pizza straight from a wood-fired oven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackyard barbecues and weekend grilling sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Zinfandel lover who appreciates old-vine heritage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding an Amador County wine collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHearty weeknight dinners featuring red meat or Italian fare\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Runquist Z Zinfandel taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a fruit-forward, oak-aged Zinfandel dominated by black raspberry, dark cherry, and currant flavors, with a creamy texture from the Petite Sirah blend and a toasty vanilla finish from barrel aging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Runquist Z Zinfandel compare to Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both wines are Amador County Zinfandels sourced from old vines, but Runquist's Z specifically draws from the historic Massoni Ranch and consistently includes a Petite Sirah component for added structure. Renwood tends toward a broader range of Amador County vineyard sources, while Runquist's single-ranch focus yields a more site-specific expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Runquist Z Zinfandel good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its balanced fruit, integrated tannins, and moderate alcohol make it an enjoyable standalone sipper, especially when served slightly below room temperature around 60–65°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Runquist Z Zinfandel made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Jeff Runquist Wines in Amador County, within California's Sierra Foothills AVA, using fruit from the historic Massoni Ranch vineyard located at approximately 1,200 feet elevation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Runquist Z Zinfandel?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled tri-tip or ribeye steak complements the bold fruit and tannin; slow-smoked pork ribs with spicy barbecue sauce echo the wine's pepper and berry notes; lamb sausage with rosemary bridges the herbal oak tones; mushroom risotto matches the creamy texture; and aged cheddar or Gouda provides a savory counterpoint to the fruit sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Runquist Z Zinfandel come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Runquist Z Zinfandel worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a mid-range Zinfandel, but the old-vine sourcing from century-old plantings and small-barrel aging deliver complexity that competes with wines at a higher price tier, making it a strong value within the Amador County Zinfandel category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Runquist Z Zinfandel?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat separates this wine from the crowded Zinfandel field is its vineyard pedigree: century-old, dry-farmed vines at Massoni Ranch produce naturally low yields with concentrated fruit character that cannot be replicated by younger plantings. The deliberate blending of Petite Sirah adds structural depth and aging potential beyond a typical varietal Zinfandel. A Gold Medal at the Orange County Fair Wine Competition confirms that the wine performs at a high level in competitive blind tasting. For drinkers seeking an authentic old-vine Zinfandel rooted in one of California's most historic growing regions, this is a bottle that delivers on provenance and flavor alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jeff Runquist Z","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837922209961,"sku":"34695","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Jeff-Runquist-Z-Zinfandel__37296.jpg?v=1730500568"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/jeff-runquist-z.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}