2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vines Zinfandel, Chiles Valley, Napa County
Tasting Notes
Subtle tannins and fruit-forward on the palate, this wine shows what a great summer can bring to the wine. Light ruby in color and framed with 100% American Oak. Pair with your favorite fare from the grill. Drink by 2032.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation Chiles Valley, Napa County
Harvest Date: September 15, 2023
Brix at Harvest: 25.4
Cooperage: 100% American Oak
Alcohol: 14.8%
TA: .51
pH: 3.56
Production: 200 cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vine Zinfandel, Chiles Valley, Napa County Case:
12x 2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vine Zinfandel, Chiles Valley, Napa County
Laura and Michael Swanton know the many challenges of establishing a boutique winery dedicated to crafting small quantities of fine wine in the Napa Valley. They have experienced them all in their demanding, yet delicious, journey from fledgling winery to award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel producers.
A long-time wine enthusiast, Owner and Proprietor Laura Swanton purchased the Calistoga winery estate that would become Laura Michael Wines from the Traulsen family in 1999. At the time, Laura was a sales specialist with Cisco Systems in San Jose. It was a career that required intimate knowledge of high-tech product application. Knowing how the technology worked was critical to her success in selling the product.
At the time Laura purchased the winery, Michael had embarked on an independent career in power generation and services, a career that spanned nearly two decades. When they came together in 2006, their current journey started and continues to this day.
Today, their tenacity for learning systems and science is directed at running their small winery and vineyard estate dedicated to limited-production, premium red wines. Since 1999, Laura has managed all winemaking processes from grape sourcing to the logistics of launching and operating a winery. Her zeal to understand wine-growing at its root has her pruning, picking, irrigating, and collecting samples in the vineyard. A thirst for winemaking knowledge encourages her participation in crushing, pump-overs, racking, and bottling.
“We do it all,” says Laura. “It’s so important that we work alongside every member of our team, from the temporary harvest help to our consulting winemaker. We are not ones to stand on the sidelines, and fortunately because we are as small as we are, we can be actively involved in every aspect of this business.”
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
The RS on this is less than 1%. I definitely do NOT like my zin to be sweet at all. The alc on this ensures that we are going completely dry. Makes it yummier!
Love this vineyard in Chiles Valley. It was planted in 1974 and I will only add “Old Vines” to my label if it’s 50+ years. If you’ve been tracking me at all, my previous Old Vine zin has always come from Dry Creek, Sonoma County. We were very fortunate to come across this Chiles Valley vineyard. At about the 800 foot elevation, the volcanic and gravelly soils really work well for this zin. Reminds me of my estate zin from Calistoga. Our research shows that the weather pattern out there really tracks to what we get in Calistoga, it’s remarkedly similar to our Oat Hill Estate Zin (currently, completely sold out). Your won’t be disappointed in this zin - AND it’s under 15% alcohol - when does that ever show up in the world of CA zin you zinophiles??!!
Cork has minimal light ruby staining. Medium ruby in the glass, violet glints:
Huge nose, raspberries plums and baking spice. Middle weight body, light raspberry on the entry, followed by a herb mélange (lavender, sage, thyme), followed by a bright acidity and a hint of tannin, more like apple skin than black tea. This wine is effortlessly balanced, deeply nuanced and sublime with many layers of fruit, herb and spice. Every sip brings a new flavor note to the fore. While I typically prefer a little age on my wines, this youthful zinfandel has an old soul and all its flavor components sing in harmony. It is a very restrained, graceful expression of a sometimes rambunctious, occasionally flamboyant varietal.
I left the bottle open on the counter overnight and the next day the nose was a little more dried cherry and the palate was dark fruits with a dried cherry finish. The flavor is evolving nicely, but I think I preferred the bright, delicate day 1 wine to the full bodied, robust day two. It is a fantastic wine in both cases, but day 2 was a more typical Zinfandel flavor profile while day 1 was a distinctive wine experience. Many thanks to the Boys in Brown for an unremarkable delivery, to Terry and the WCC crew for pulling my name out of the hat and to Laura Michael for making an exceptional wine. Salut!
@KitMarlot Apologies for the crummy picture, still trying to figure out how to photograph a wine glass without those annoying light bulb highlights. Please let me know if you find that photo distracting. I was trying to convey the color of the wine and the staining of the cork in as concise a method as possible. I know many of you aren’t looking for a photo reel and I have no pretensions of being a photographer…
I agree with you on the overnight decant. We have found that if you like more of the classical zin flavors, as you described, that a short pour in the morning, then put the cork back in, helps this open up for the evening meal or tomorrow’s supper! Cheers and thank you for the kind words.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vines Zinfandel - $50 = 16.66%
Generally not a huge fan of zins but love Ridge. Geyserville and Lytton Springs are some of my favorites. I realize that these are blends but how does the flavor profile compare?
2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vines Zinfandel, Chiles Valley, Napa County
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$480.00/Case for 12x 2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vine Zinfandel, Chiles Valley, Napa County at Laura Michael Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 10 - Tuesday, Nov 11
I see a sellout coming…
2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vines Zinfandel
4 bottles for $99.99 $25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $249.99 $20.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
@lauramichaelnv
Perchance do you have the lab RS on this one?
The RS on this is less than 1%. I definitely do NOT like my zin to be sweet at all. The alc on this ensures that we are going completely dry. Makes it yummier!
Love this vineyard in Chiles Valley. It was planted in 1974 and I will only add “Old Vines” to my label if it’s 50+ years. If you’ve been tracking me at all, my previous Old Vine zin has always come from Dry Creek, Sonoma County. We were very fortunate to come across this Chiles Valley vineyard. At about the 800 foot elevation, the volcanic and gravelly soils really work well for this zin. Reminds me of my estate zin from Calistoga. Our research shows that the weather pattern out there really tracks to what we get in Calistoga, it’s remarkedly similar to our Oat Hill Estate Zin (currently, completely sold out). Your won’t be disappointed in this zin - AND it’s under 15% alcohol - when does that ever show up in the world of CA zin you zinophiles??!!
Cork has minimal light ruby staining. Medium ruby in the glass, violet glints:
Huge nose, raspberries plums and baking spice. Middle weight body, light raspberry on the entry, followed by a herb mélange (lavender, sage, thyme), followed by a bright acidity and a hint of tannin, more like apple skin than black tea. This wine is effortlessly balanced, deeply nuanced and sublime with many layers of fruit, herb and spice. Every sip brings a new flavor note to the fore. While I typically prefer a little age on my wines, this youthful zinfandel has an old soul and all its flavor components sing in harmony. It is a very restrained, graceful expression of a sometimes rambunctious, occasionally flamboyant varietal.
I left the bottle open on the counter overnight and the next day the nose was a little more dried cherry and the palate was dark fruits with a dried cherry finish. The flavor is evolving nicely, but I think I preferred the bright, delicate day 1 wine to the full bodied, robust day two. It is a fantastic wine in both cases, but day 2 was a more typical Zinfandel flavor profile while day 1 was a distinctive wine experience. Many thanks to the Boys in Brown for an unremarkable delivery, to Terry and the WCC crew for pulling my name out of the hat and to Laura Michael for making an exceptional wine. Salut!
@KitMarlot Apologies for the crummy picture, still trying to figure out how to photograph a wine glass without those annoying light bulb highlights. Please let me know if you find that photo distracting. I was trying to convey the color of the wine and the staining of the cork in as concise a method as possible. I know many of you aren’t looking for a photo reel and I have no pretensions of being a photographer…
@KitMarlot
I agree with you on the overnight decant. We have found that if you like more of the classical zin flavors, as you described, that a short pour in the morning, then put the cork back in, helps this open up for the evening meal or tomorrow’s supper! Cheers and thank you for the kind words.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Laura Michael Wines Old Vines Zinfandel - $50 = 16.66%
I’ve never been disappointed with a Laura Michael wine. Just sayin’.
Generally not a huge fan of zins but love Ridge. Geyserville and Lytton Springs are some of my favorites. I realize that these are blends but how does the flavor profile compare?
Anyone in Denver metro area ordering and want to split? I’d be happy with 3 - 6 bottles.
If your in or around Dallas Texas and want to split please let me know.
While I was supposed to be a Lab Rat,
Brown has failed to deliver…
And there is still no anticipated delivery date.
@KitMarlot
did an admirable job, much better than you could expect from me.
@rjquillin Hopefully you’ll get the bottle at some point and be able to enjoy it.
@rjquillin Did you really expect your summer holds AND your lab rat bottle?
Four bottles available in SoCal (San Diego) if interested