Cigar Zin Old Vine Zinfandel

Cigar Zin Old Vine Zinfandel is a rich, dark-fruited Lodi red wine from Cosentino Winery, bottled at 750ml with an ABV typically around 14.5%. A Gold Medal winner at both the Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge (2019 vintage) and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2018 vintage), it has earned a loyal following for its unapologetically bold, smoke-tinged character drawn from old vine fruit.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Style: Old Vine Red Blend  |  Winery: Cosentino Winery, Santa Rosa, CA

Production & Heritage

Cosentino Winery, based in Santa Rosa, California, sources old vine Zinfandel grapes from Lodi's Central Valley—one of the state's most established Zinfandel-growing regions, where gnarly, low-yielding vines produce concentrated fruit. The grapes undergo a cold soak prior to a 14-day fermentation, a technique that extracts deep color and robust flavor before the juice ever sees yeast activity. The finished wine ages for eight months, partially in French oak, adding a measured layer of structure and spice. Depending on the vintage, the blend may include small percentages of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot alongside the dominant Zinfandel, lending added depth and tannic backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackberry and black currant, followed by waves of dark chocolate, toffee, and sandalwood. Underneath, subtle cedar and tobacco leaf emerge, reinforcing the wine's cigar-box identity.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, loaded with plum, ripe cherry, and cassis. At mid-palate, cocoa, coffee, and baking spice build considerable weight. Vanilla from French oak integrates smoothly, while peppercorn and leather give the peak a savory edge.

Finish: Moderately long, with lingering dark berry sweetness balanced by licorice and a whisper of smoky oak. The tannins are soft but present, leaving a warm, slightly peppery close.

How to Drink Cigar Zin

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass to let the aromatics fully develop; fifteen minutes of decanting softens the tannins and opens the fruit. This is a wine that stands well on its own alongside an actual cigar, but it also adapts to mixed-wine drinks. In a Red Wine Sangria, its dark fruit and spice hold up against citrus and brandy without fading. A simple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) plays off the wine's chocolate and coffee tones for a casual summer drink. For a brunch option, a Zinfandel Spritzer with sparkling water and a squeeze of blood orange keeps the berry character front and center while lightening the body.

Best For

• Pairing with a backyard barbecue featuring smoked ribs or brisket
• Gifting a cigar enthusiast who appreciates bold, smoky reds
• Hosting a casual tasting of California old vine Zinfandels
• Weeknight dinners that call for an affordable, full-bodied red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cigar Zin taste like? Cigar Zin delivers concentrated blackberry, plum, and cherry fruit layered with chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and tobacco. It is full-bodied and fruit-forward with soft tannins and a peppery, smoky finish.

How does Cigar Zin compare to 7 Deadly Zins? Both are Lodi-sourced old vine Zinfandels at a similar price point, but Cigar Zin leans heavier on dark chocolate and tobacco aromatics, while Michael David's 7 Deadly Zins typically emphasizes jammy red fruit and bolder sweetness. Cigar Zin also incorporates a cold-soak technique and partial French oak aging that adds a more structured, savory dimension.

Is Cigar Zin good for sipping on its own? Yes—the ripe fruit, smooth tannins, and layered spice make it an enjoyable standalone pour, especially with a short decant to let the aromas open up.

Where is Cigar Zin made? Cigar Zin is produced by Cosentino Winery, headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, using old vine Zinfandel grapes sourced from vineyards in the Lodi appellation of California's Central Valley.

What foods pair well with Cigar Zin? Smoked brisket or pulled pork plays directly into the wine's smoky, peppery profile. Aged cheddar or Gouda echoes its toffee and vanilla notes. Dark chocolate desserts amplify the cocoa undertones. Wood-fired pizza with sausage and roasted peppers matches its fruit weight, and lamb chops with a rosemary crust complement the herbal, spicy finish.

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

Is Cigar Zin worth the price? Cigar Zin positions as an accessible, value-tier old vine Zinfandel that consistently over-delivers on flavor density and complexity relative to its modest price bracket, making it a strong entry point into Lodi's old vine category.

Why Cigar Zin?

What separates Cigar Zin from the crowded field of California Zinfandels is its deliberate cold-soak extraction and partial French oak program, which together build a wine with more structure and aromatic complexity than most bottles at this price. Multiple Gold Medal wins—at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge—back up the quality in the glass. Old vine sourcing from Lodi provides the kind of concentrated, low-yield fruit that younger plantings simply cannot replicate. For drinkers drawn to bold, darkly fruited reds with a genuinely smoky personality, this remains one of the more reliable and characterful Zinfandels on the shelf.