Moss Roxx Ancient Vine Reserve Zinfandel

Moss Roxx Ancient Vine Reserve Zinfandel is a bold, full-bodied Lodi red wine bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 91 points by Wine Enthusiast on the 2021 vintage, this reserve-level bottling draws its character from some of the oldest Zinfandel plantings in the Mokelumne River corridor, where moss-covered boulders and gravelly soils give the label its name.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Blend: 86% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec  |  Winery: Oak Ridge Winery

Production & Heritage

Oak Ridge Winery, based in Lodi's Mokelumne River AVA, produces Moss Roxx from the Maggio family's oldest estate vineyards—sites where gnarled, ancient vines push through rocky, alluvial soils blanketed in moss from decades of river exposure. The blend of 86% Zinfandel with 7% Petite Sirah and 7% Malbec is aged for 16 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, adding structural depth and spice complexity to the wine's naturally concentrated fruit. The Petite Sirah contributes color density and tannic backbone, while the Malbec lends a supple, fleshy mid-palate that rounds out the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cedar, ginger, cinnamon, and clove emerge first, layered over a dense core of ripe blackberry and dark plum. As the wine opens, vanilla and a faint milk chocolate sweetness rise from the oak aging.

Taste: The entry is generous and mouth-filling, with bold blackberry jam flavors immediately coating the palate. Mid-palate, caramel and baking spice take hold alongside ripe plum, while moderate tannins from the Petite Sirah provide structure without austerity. The overall impression is full-bodied yet soft, with a richness that avoids heaviness.

Finish: Medium to long, with smooth tannins carrying lingering notes of spiced oak, dark chocolate, and warm berry fruit. The gravelly minerality of the Mokelumne River soils surfaces subtly as the finish fades.

How to Drink Moss Roxx Zinfandel

Serve at 60–65°F, ideally after 20–30 minutes of breathing in the glass or a brief decant to let the oak and fruit integrate fully. This is a wine built for the table as much as for sipping on its own.

• Sangria: The jammy blackberry core and warm spice make it a powerhouse base for a red sangria with stone fruit and cinnamon.
• Mulled Wine: The existing baking-spice profile means fewer additions are needed; the wine already carries clove, ginger, and cinnamon naturally.
• Kalimotxo: The bold fruit and soft tannins stand up well to cola in this classic Basque combination, producing a surprisingly refreshing summer drink.

Best For

• Pairing with weekend barbecue—smoked brisket, ribs, and charred sausages
• Introducing someone to serious old-vine Lodi Zinfandel
• Gifting a red-wine lover who gravitates toward bold, fruit-forward California reds
• Cool-weather fireside drinking when a rich, warming red is called for

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Moss Roxx Zinfandel taste like? It delivers bold blackberry jam, dark plum, and caramel flavors layered with baking spices like cinnamon and clove, supported by moderate tannins and a smooth, chocolate-tinged finish. The overall profile is full-bodied and generous without being overly tannic.

How does Moss Roxx compare to OZV Zinfandel? Both wines are produced by Oak Ridge Winery from old-vine Lodi fruit, but Moss Roxx is the reserve-tier bottling—blended with Petite Sirah and Malbec and aged 16 months in oak, resulting in greater structure and complexity. OZV is positioned as a more approachable, everyday Zinfandel, while Moss Roxx targets drinkers looking for additional concentration and depth.

Is Moss Roxx good for sipping neat? Yes—its soft, full-bodied texture, moderate tannins, and layered spice make it well-suited for drinking on its own at cellar temperature, particularly after a short decant to let the aromatics develop.

Where is Moss Roxx made? Moss Roxx is produced by Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California, within the Mokelumne River AVA. The grapes come from the Maggio family's oldest estate vineyards, where rocky, gravelly riverside soils and ancient vines define the terroir.

What foods pair well with Moss Roxx Zinfandel? Smoked or slow-cooked barbecue ribs complement the wine's jammy fruit and spice. Aged cheddar or Gouda echo its caramel and vanilla notes. Pizza with Italian sausage matches the wine's bold intensity. Dark-chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa tones in the finish. Lamb burgers with rosemary bring out the wine's herbal oak undertones.

What sizes does Moss Roxx come in? Moss Roxx Ancient Vine Reserve Zinfandel is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Moss Roxx worth the price? Positioned as a premium reserve expression within Oak Ridge Winery's Zinfandel lineup, Moss Roxx delivers old-vine concentration, a 16-month oak program, and a multi-varietal blend at a price point that sits well below many comparable reserve Zinfandels from Napa or Sonoma, making it a strong value in the category.

Why Moss Roxx?

The 91-point score from Wine Enthusiast confirms what the blend itself suggests: this is a carefully structured wine, not simply a fruit bomb. Sourcing from some of Lodi's oldest Zinfandel vines along the Mokelumne River gives Moss Roxx a depth and minerality that younger-vine bottlings in the region rarely achieve. The 16-month dual-oak aging and the addition of Petite Sirah and Malbec elevate it beyond a straightforward varietal Zinfandel into reserve territory with real complexity. For drinkers who want bold California Zinfandel with verifiable old-vine provenance at an accessible price tier, few bottles in Lodi compete as directly.