Our Mother Clone is a classic ‘Dry Creek’ Zinfandel with spicy aromas of cinnamon and white pepper along with red berries and a touch of vanilla. Black cherry flavors blend with vanilla, licorice, and warm baking spices with balanced acidity. The berry-spice combination, so typical of Dry Creek Zin, includes a round peppery finish which is a hallmark of our style. Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years.
The Mother Clone Vineyard
The Pedroncelli house is founded on Zinfandel. It was the first grape planted in the early 1900s, it was the first wine founder Giovanni made after Prohibition ended and it was also the first varietal we labeled under our name in 1947. Using the budwood from the mother vineyard to clone a second generation carries our vineyard story forward, echoing the generations of our family. The fruit from three generations of these “mother” vines are part of the blend as well as fruit from the Bushnell and Giovannoni vineyards.
Harvest & Winemaking Notes
The growing season was preceded by abundant rain and the cooler-than-normal temperatures delayed bud break through the spring and summer. Slowing the maturity during this time allows the grapes to develop more exceptional aromas and flavors. Moderate sugars made the wine balanced and deeply flavorful. At the crush pad, destemmed grapes are transferred to a fermentation tank to cold soak for 48 hours and then is inoculated with selected yeast. Daily pump-overs and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with delestage regimes are done for maximum phenolic extraction. Pressing follows and the new wine is transferred to storage tanks until barreled down. Twelve months of aging in American oak barrels develop additional complexity. The addition of Petite Sirah (12%) adds depth and structure to the wine.
Specs
Varietals: 88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Aging: 12 months in American Oak barrels, 30% new oak
Alcohol: 15%
pH: 3.71
Total Acidity: .580g / 100 ml
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x - 2023 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Case:
12x - 2023 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
For nearly a century, the Pedroncelli family has been crafting exceptional wines in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. It all began in 1927 when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased a vineyard and a small winery west of Geyserville; two elements have remained unchanged since then - the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms their vineyards and their dedication to creating fine wines.
For nine decades, the Pedroncelli family has been producing wines of the highest quality, tradition and heritage. Their commitment to excellence and their family-run business make them a trusted source of great wines - enjoy them with confidence.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
LabRat checking in April 14th 2026 with zero 'ya mama is so cloned’ jokes.
Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2023 Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley
The Look:
Deep ruby / garnet.
Good saturation and moderate viscosity with slow legs showing that 15%.
Looks like a ripe fruit forward Cally zin to me, rather than a lighter old world style.
The Nose:
Soft raspberry jam.
Cinnamon, Clove.
Black pepper, a bit of white pepper.
Toasted oak and nilla wafer.
Not as alcohawly as I’d expect.
The Palate:
After the customary 3 sips…
Jammy berry fruit.
Layered with the vanilla and warm baking spice.
Very slight notes of jäger/licorice.
The Texture:
med to full bodied.
Round, supple tannins.
Balanced acidity keeps it from being heavy.
The Finish:
Med-long finish. Pepper and spice fade. Slightly drying tannins with lingering cherry and spice.
The wrap up:
If you like classic CA Zin with spice, richness, and pepper, this should be for you. Or if you have that guest that regularly asks for a “Peppery Red” (or a ‘Buttery Chardonnay’ if they want to drink white).
What I’d call a 'denim dress shirt wine’. Not too fancy, and still a Casemates regular.
It’s drinkable now benefiting from decanting- but I’d consider cellaring for thanksgiving, unless you want it jammy as possible.
If my cellar wasn’t brimming with a biblical amount of Zin’s, I’d cop a case. I guessed casemates would set this are $18/bottle- cheaper than I thought.
Bonus round: You can rearrange the letters in the words “Pedroncelli Zinfandel” to spell out “Freelanced Zip Doll Inn”.
Do with that what you will.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel - $20 = 11.11%
2023 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
91 Points, Wine Spectator
91 Points, Wine.com
Tasting Notes
The Mother Clone Vineyard
Harvest & Winemaking Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$259.20/Case for 12x 2023 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County at Pedroncelli
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, May 4 - Tuesday, May 5
2023 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel
6 bottles for $89.99 $15/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $159.99 $13.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Oof. Not enough cash on hand this time. Y’all enjoy this one for me.
Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2023 Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley
The Look:
Deep ruby / garnet.
Good saturation and moderate viscosity with slow legs showing that 15%.
Looks like a ripe fruit forward Cally zin to me, rather than a lighter old world style.
The Nose:
Soft raspberry jam.
Cinnamon, Clove.
Black pepper, a bit of white pepper.
Toasted oak and nilla wafer.
Not as alcohawly as I’d expect.
The Palate:
After the customary 3 sips…
Jammy berry fruit.
Layered with the vanilla and warm baking spice.
Very slight notes of jäger/licorice.
The Texture:
med to full bodied.
Round, supple tannins.
Balanced acidity keeps it from being heavy.
The Finish:
Med-long finish. Pepper and spice fade. Slightly drying tannins with lingering cherry and spice.
The wrap up:
If you like classic CA Zin with spice, richness, and pepper, this should be for you. Or if you have that guest that regularly asks for a “Peppery Red” (or a ‘Buttery Chardonnay’ if they want to drink white).
What I’d call a 'denim dress shirt wine’. Not too fancy, and still a Casemates regular.
It’s drinkable now benefiting from decanting- but I’d consider cellaring for thanksgiving, unless you want it jammy as possible.
If my cellar wasn’t brimming with a biblical amount of Zin’s, I’d cop a case. I guessed casemates would set this are $18/bottle- cheaper than I thought.
Bonus round: You can rearrange the letters in the words “Pedroncelli Zinfandel” to spell out “Freelanced Zip Doll Inn”.
Do with that what you will.
LRR on the Zin from a mixed red offer 11/25
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel - $20 = 11.11%
And another previous offer with the two reviews noted above