Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel is a full-bodied, 100% Zinfandel wine from Lodi, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Delicato Family Vineyards from head-trained vines ranging from 40 to 100 years old, this expression earned Gold medals at the Mundus Vini international wine competition for both its 2021 and 2022 vintages. Jancis Robinson awarded it 16.5 points with a “Good Value” designation, underscoring its quality-to-price ratio in a competitive category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Old Vine (40–100 Year Vines)  |  Producer: Delicato Family Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Delicato Family Vineyards, founded in 1924 by Gaspare Indelicato in Manteca, California, sources fruit for Brazin primarily from the Mokelumne River AVA within Lodi—one of the state’s most celebrated Zinfandel-growing regions. The head-trained vines, some approaching a century in age, are irrigated just twice per year using a flood technique designed to deliberately stress the plants and produce smaller berries with concentrated flavor. This low-intervention vineyard approach, paired with Lodi’s warm days and cool Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta breezes, yields fruit with the intensity and depth that define the Brazin style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich dark plum and ripe blackberry rise first, followed by warm spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Vanilla and a subtle hint of toasted oak round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with blackberry jam and black cherry dominating the front palate. Mid-palate, dark chocolate, coffee, and smoked peppercorn emerge, adding complexity. The texture is full and smooth, with moderate tannins providing grip without harshness.

Finish: A lingering warmth carries notes of black pepper, licorice, and milk chocolate through a medium-long close. The tannin structure holds firm, leaving a clean, gently spicy fade.

How to Drink Brazin

Serve at 60–65°F, ideally after 20–30 minutes of decanting to open up the fruit and soften the tannins. Brazin drinks well on its own or alongside food, and its concentrated character also holds up in wine-based mixed drinks. A bold Red Wine Sangria benefits from the deep berry fruit and baking-spice backbone. Mulled Wine gains natural depth from the existing cinnamon and clove notes already present in the glass. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) pairs surprisingly well with the jammy richness and peppery finish.

Best For

• Pairing with backyard barbecue or smoked meats
• Introducing friends to serious Lodi old-vine Zinfandel
• Building an affordable collection of old-vine California reds
• Casual entertaining with charcuterie and aged cheese boards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Brazin taste like? Brazin is a fruit-forward, full-bodied red dominated by blackberry jam, dark plum, and black cherry, layered with dark chocolate, coffee, and warm baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

How does Brazin compare to Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel? Both are Lodi-sourced old-vine Zinfandels at accessible price points, but Brazin tends toward darker fruit, more pronounced spice, and a fuller body. Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel leans slightly lighter and more immediately approachable, with brighter cherry and raspberry notes.

Is Brazin good for sipping on its own? Yes—smooth tannins, concentrated fruit, and layered spice make it a satisfying wine to drink by itself, especially when served slightly below room temperature after brief decanting.

Where is Brazin made? Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel is produced by Delicato Family Vineyards using fruit sourced primarily from the Mokelumne River AVA in Lodi, California, one of the state’s most important regions for heritage-vine Zinfandel.

What foods pair well with Brazin? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complement the dark fruit and peppery spice. Aged cheddar or Gouda echo the vanilla and nutmeg notes. Grilled lamb chops match the full body and tannin structure. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa-tinged finish. Sausage pizza with roasted peppers makes a straightforward everyday pairing.

What sizes does Brazin come in? Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Brazin worth the price? Brazin positions as a value-tier old-vine Zinfandel that consistently over-delivers for its category, as reflected in Jancis Robinson’s “Good Value” designation and consecutive Mundus Vini Gold medals for the 2021 and 2022 vintages.

Why Brazin?

What separates Brazin from the crowded field of Lodi Zinfandels is the age and management of its source vines—head-trained plants up to 100 years old, deliberately stressed through minimal flood irrigation to concentrate flavor in smaller berries. That vineyard philosophy shows up in the glass as unusual depth and intensity for a wine at this price point. Recognition from both Mundus Vini (Gold, 2021 and 2022 vintages) and Jancis Robinson (16.5 points, “Good Value”) confirms it competes well above its weight class. For anyone seeking a bold, spice-driven California Zinfandel rooted in genuine old-vine character, Brazin makes a compelling case.