Langetwins Old Vine Zinfandel

LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel is a full-bodied Lodi red wine blending old-vine fruit at 15.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. It earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast for both the 2016 and 2017 vintages, with Tastings.com awarding the 2015 vintage 92 points — consistent recognition that underscores its quality across multiple releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Old Vine Red Blend  |  Winery: LangeTwins Family Winery

Production & Heritage

LangeTwins Family Winery draws on its deep roots in the Lodi appellation, where the family has practiced certified sustainable winegrowing for nearly three decades — balancing environmental health, economic viability, and social equity across their operations. This Old Vine Zinfandel is a blend of 90% Zinfandel, 4% Petite Sirah, and 3% Teroldego, sourced from multiple individually crafted vineyard lots including fruit from a historic vineyard planted in 1903. The wine is aged in predominantly American oak, which complements the naturally concentrated character of the old-vine fruit without overwhelming it.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep, vivid color in the glass gives way to lush aromas of ripe plum, boysenberry, and dark currant. Underneath the fruit, subtle notes of baking spice and black pepper emerge as the wine opens.

Taste: The palate entry is bold and mouth-filling, with concentrated flavors of ripe plum, black cherry, and expressive red fruit. At mid-palate, generous spice and a smooth texture take hold, supported by soft, well-integrated tannins and a touch of balancing acidity. The Petite Sirah and Teroldego components add structure and depth without making the wine heavy-handed.

Finish: The finish is warm and lingering, revealing pleasant spice and balanced structure. Soft tannins recede gradually, leaving a satisfying impression of dark berry fruit and peppery warmth.

How to Drink Old Vine Zinfandel

This wine drinks well at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, poured into a large-bowled glass to let the generous aromatics develop fully. Its bold profile and soft tannins make it equally suited to sipping on its own or alongside a meal.

• Zinfandel Sangria: The concentrated dark-fruit character and spice hold up beautifully against citrus and brandy in a red sangria.
• Kalimotxo: The wine's full body and ripe sweetness pair surprisingly well with cola for this rustic Basque cocktail.
• Mulled Wine: The inherent black pepper and baking spice notes amplify warm-spice additions like cinnamon, clove, and star anise.

Best For

• Weeknight grilling sessions featuring barbecue ribs, burgers, or smoked sausages
• Introducing Zinfandel to drinkers who enjoy bold, fruit-forward California reds
• Hosting a casual dinner party centered on Italian-American comfort food
• Building a value-driven Lodi wine collection alongside other old-vine bottlings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel taste like? It delivers rich, concentrated flavors of ripe plum, black cherry, and boysenberry layered with black pepper and baking spice. The texture is smooth and full-bodied with soft tannins and a warm, lingering finish.

How does LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel compare to Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel? Both are Lodi-area old-vine Zinfandels aged in American oak at a similar value price point. LangeTwins tends to show slightly more concentrated fruit and higher alcohol at 15.5% ABV, partly due to its use of fruit from a vineyard dating to 1903, while Bogle is widely regarded as a consistent everyday sipper.

Is LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel good for food pairing? Yes — critics have specifically praised its balance of bold fruit, moderate tannins, and good acidity as well-primed for food. It pairs naturally with grilled meats, barbecue, hearty pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Where is LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel made? It is produced by LangeTwins Family Winery in the Lodi appellation of California's Central Valley, a region renowned for its old-vine Zinfandel plantings, some of which date back over a century.

What foods pair well with LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel? Smoked baby back ribs complement the wine's peppery spice. Pizza with Italian sausage matches its bold fruit and soft tannins. Tri-tip steak benefits from the wine's concentrated dark-berry flavors. Aged cheddar or Gouda echo its richness. Lamb burgers with rosemary bring out the wine's herbal undertones.

What sizes does LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel come in? It is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel worth the price? It positions as a strong value-tier old-vine Zinfandel, consistently scoring 89–92 points from multiple critics while remaining priced accessibly among Lodi Zinfandels — a category known for delivering quality well above its price class.

Why LangeTwins Old Vine Zinfandel?

The inclusion of fruit from a vineyard planted in 1903 sets this bottling apart from many old-vine competitors; those deeply rooted, low-yielding vines produce grapes of exceptional concentration. LangeTwins' nearly three decades of certified sustainable farming adds a layer of environmental credibility that few wineries at this price point can match. Multiple 90-plus-point scores across vintages — including 92 from Tastings.com and 90 from Wine Enthusiast — confirm that the quality is not a one-off occurrence. For drinkers seeking a bold, polished Lodi Zinfandel with genuine old-vine provenance and sustainable credentials, this bottling consistently delivers.