Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2013

Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2013 is a 750ml, 14.8% ABV Sonoma County red wine blending 92% Zinfandel with Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet from vines averaging 75 years old. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, this vintage draws from dry-farmed bush vines across Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley — some planted as far back as the 1920s.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Producer: Seghesio Family Vineyards  |  Winemaker: Andy Robinson

Production & Heritage

Seghesio Family Vineyards has deep roots in Sonoma County Zinfandel, with estate fruit and leased vineyard blocks providing the backbone for this bottling. The blend — 92% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, and 1% Alicante Bouschet — is sourced from vines that Seghesio defines as "Old Vine," meaning a minimum age of 50 years, though the actual average skews closer to 75 years. Many of these head-trained, dry-farmed bush vines date to the 1920s, a viticultural heritage that imparts concentration and complexity difficult to replicate from younger plantings. The Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet add structural depth and color intensity to the finished wine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with extra creaminess and a floral lift before giving way to layers of black pepper, warm cinnamon spice, and dark briary fruit. There is a suave quality to the aromatics — ripe but restrained, suggesting well-managed extraction from the old vines.

Taste: On entry, tart cherry brightness meets loads of black raspberry and black cherry fruit, building through a mid-palate marked by blackberry cobbler, black tea, and a thread of milk chocolate. The texture is supple and richly layered, with fresh black cherry skin juiciness and lively acidity keeping the generous fruit honest. The Petite Sirah component contributes a grippy, wound-up structure beneath the soft fruit core.

Finish: The finish runs long and measured, trailing spicy cinnamon, leathery pepper, and dusty, complex tannins entirely in keeping with the wine's old-vine origins. A creamy sweetness lingers alongside a savory edge that invites the next sip.

How to Serve Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel

Pour at 60–65°F for the best balance of fruit expression and structural detail; thirty minutes of decanting opens the tighter aromatics appreciably. A large-bowled red wine glass allows the layered bouquet to develop fully. This is a wine that rewards attentive sipping on its own, but its bright acidity and peppery spice also make it a natural partner at the dinner table with grilled or braised meats, barbecue, and robust pasta dishes.

Best For

• Gifting a Zinfandel enthusiast who values vineyard heritage and old-vine character
• Anchoring a Sonoma County vertical or old-vine tasting alongside other heritage producers
• Pairing with a weekend barbecue of smoked brisket, ribs, or grilled sausage
• Cellaring for collectors exploring the 2013 Sonoma vintage's aging potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel taste like? It delivers briary black raspberry and cherry fruit layered with black pepper, cinnamon spice, black tea, and a touch of milk chocolate, all held together by lively acidity and supple tannins. The old-vine sourcing adds a dusty complexity and creamy richness that distinguish it from younger-vine Zinfandels.

How does Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel compare to Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel? Both producers are recognized champions of historic California vineyards and old-vine Zinfandel preservation, making them natural comparison points. Seghesio's strict internal "Old Vine" definition — requiring a minimum of 50 years and averaging closer to 75 — and its focus on Sonoma County sub-appellations gives it a concentrated, spice-driven profile, while Bedrock tends to draw from a wider mosaic of heritage sites across multiple California counties.

Is Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its supple texture, layered fruit, and long peppery finish make it a rewarding wine to drink on its own, especially when given time to breathe after opening.

Where is Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel made? It is produced by Seghesio Family Vineyards in Sonoma County, California, with fruit sourced from estate and leased vineyards across Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley.

What foods pair well with Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel? Smoked brisket complements the wine's peppery spice; lamb chops echo its briary fruit; grilled Italian sausage mirrors its rustic depth; aged cheddar balances its acidity; and dark chocolate desserts pick up the milk chocolate thread on the mid-palate.

What sizes does Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel worth the price? Positioned as a premium Sonoma County Zinfandel, it carries a 92-point Wine Enthusiast rating and draws from vines averaging 75 years old — credentials that place it favorably among top-tier old-vine bottlings in its price tier.

Why Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel?

What separates this wine from the broader Zinfandel field is the age and stewardship of its source vines. Seghesio's internal standard for "Old Vine" already exceeds any industry norm, yet the vineyards behind this bottling push well past that bar, with some blocks tracing back nearly a century to the 1920s. Dry-farmed and head-trained in the traditional California style, these bush vines naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor in ways that younger plantings simply cannot match. The 2013 vintage's 92-point Wine Enthusiast score confirms that the resulting wine — dusty, spiced, briary, and texturally rich — translates that vineyard pedigree into the glass with precision.