Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel 2015

Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel 2015 is a 750ml, 15.3% ABV old-vine Zinfandel from Lodi's Mokelumne AVA in California. Awarded 93 points by The Tasting Panel and 90 points from Wine Spectator, the 2015 vintage represents one of the most concentrated expressions in the Klinker Brick lineup, drawn from the winery's oldest vineyard blocks.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.3%  |  Origin: Lodi, California — Mokelumne AVA  |  Varietal: 100% Zinfandel  |  Winery: Klinker Brick

Production & Heritage

Klinker Brick is a Lodi-based winery rooted in old-vine agriculture across the Mokelumne River sub-appellation. The Old Ghost bottling is the winery's flagship old-vine Zinfandel, sourced each year from their most venerable blocks — vines that yield just one ton of fruit per acre, roughly a third of standard Zinfandel production. The tiny berries produced at this low yield deliver intensely concentrated juice with exceptional extraction of color, flavor, and structure from the skins. After harvest, the 2015 was aged for 18 months in a 60/40 blend of American and French oak barrels, layering spice and structure onto the fruit's natural density.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a rush of ripe brambleberry, black raspberry, and dark plum, followed by exotic spice, ground anise, and clove. Behind the fruit sits a layer of fresh earth and tomato leaf that adds savory complexity.

Taste: On entry, the wine is mouth-filling, plush, and dense, with spiced cherry and boysenberry fruit dominating the front palate. Mid-palate, white pepper and firm tannins emerge alongside flavors of licorice, cola, and dark chocolate. A dusting of cocoa powder and cracked black pepper builds toward the peak, where the oak integration becomes seamless with the fruit concentration.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, carrying bramble fruit, baking spice, and a subtle mint nuance that lingers well after the sip. Tannins remain firm but resolved, providing structure without bitterness.

How to Drink Old Ghost Zinfandel

A wine of this density and complexity is best served at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass that lets the aromatics open up. Decanting for 30–45 minutes softens the tannins and reveals the secondary spice layers. While this is primarily a sipping wine, its bold profile works well alongside food: try it with smoked tri-tip where the charred meat mirrors the wine's pepper and earth; serve it alongside braised short ribs where the wine's tannins cut through the richness; or pair it with a dark chocolate dessert course to echo the cocoa and licorice finish.

Best For

• Gifting a Zinfandel enthusiast who appreciates old-vine bottlings
• Anchoring a red wine tasting focused on Lodi's premium expressions
• Pairing with a weekend barbecue featuring smoked or grilled meats
• Cellaring for special occasions — the tannin structure and concentration support medium-term aging

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Ghost Zinfandel taste like? The 2015 Old Ghost delivers dense, layered flavors of brambleberry, spiced cherry, dark plum, cola, and dark chocolate, framed by firm tannins and cracked black pepper. It is a full-bodied, mouth-filling wine with noticeable but well-integrated oak influence from 18 months in American and French barrels.

How does Old Ghost compare to Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine Zinfandel? Both wines champion old-vine Zinfandel from California, but Old Ghost leans into power and concentration at 15.3% ABV with a single-varietal approach, while Bedrock Old Vine tends toward a more restrained, terroir-driven style that often incorporates field-blend components. Old Ghost also sees a higher proportion of American oak, contributing more overt spice and vanilla character than Bedrock's typically French oak–influenced profile.

Is Old Ghost good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine built for contemplative drinking, with enough complexity in its fruit, spice, and earth layers to reward slow, attentive sipping. Decanting before serving allows the full aromatic range to emerge.

Where is Old Ghost made? Old Ghost is produced by Klinker Brick Winery in Lodi, California, specifically within the Mokelumne River AVA, a sub-appellation known for its sandy-loam soils and heritage old-vine Zinfandel plantings.

What foods pair well with Old Ghost Zinfandel? Smoked brisket or tri-tip, where the wine's pepper and earth complement the char; braised short ribs, where its tannins balance the fat; aged cheddar or Gouda, which echo the wine's richness; lamb sausage with fennel, playing off the anise notes; and dark chocolate torte, mirroring the cocoa and licorice finish.

What sizes does Old Ghost come in? The Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel 2015 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Old Ghost worth the price? Old Ghost positions as a premium Zinfandel within the Klinker Brick range, and its combination of old-vine sourcing, low-yield fruit, extended oak aging, and critical recognition — 93 points from The Tasting Panel and 90 from Wine Spectator — places it competitively among Lodi's top-tier Zinfandel bottlings.

Why Old Ghost?

What separates the Old Ghost from the broader field of California Zinfandel is the extreme low yield of its source vines — one ton per acre produces berries so small and concentrated that the resulting wine carries an intensity rarely found outside of single-vineyard bottlings at much higher price points. The 18-month aging program in a thoughtful blend of American and French oak adds structural complexity without masking the fruit. Two respected publications scored the 2015 vintage at 90 or above, confirming its quality in a competitive vintage across California. For anyone seeking a Zinfandel that demonstrates what Lodi's oldest vines can achieve at full expression, the Old Ghost remains a benchmark.