Limerick Lane 2018 Russian River Valley Zinfandel [95-Points]

We’ve had the pleasure of working with proprietor Jake Bilbro and his family’s winery where he originally learned the wine business as a young man at Marietta Cellars. I remember when Jake’s Dad, the late, legendary Chris Bilbro, dropped by for a tasting and brought a Venison stew over polenta, and tasted us on the releases of the Marietta wines. I am so grateful for such memorable moments.

Jake has carried on his family’s proud tradition of crafting delicious and impressive wines in Sonoma County at his Limerick Lane Winery.

When a winery employs the right combination of location, talent and drive, the sky is the limit.

Limerick Lane is owned by fourth-generation vintner Jake Bilbro who grew up at his father’s Marietta Cellars, where he spent 16 years running the winery with his dad, the legendary Chris Bilbro.

The wines are made by Chris Pittenger, who gained first-hand experience working at iconic wineries Biale, Torbreck, Marcassin, Williams-Selyem, and Skinner. The delicious result is in each bottle of this impressive 95 Point Russian River Zinfandel.

Limerick Lane’s Russian River Zinfandel at the core is a field blend, which includes ancient Zinfandel vines interplanted with other rare varieties like Pelousin and Negrette. The fruit is co-fermented and offers unparalleled power, depth, and stunning definition.

The 2018 was built around a base of Estate fruit and includes grapes from Sodini, which Bedrock and Carlisle fans might recognize. The vintage also perfectly balances fruit from Webber, Katz-Ponzo & Banfield Vineyards. The result is a brilliant wine that Zinfandel fans will be rejoicing over for years to come.

From JebDunnuck.com, “The 2018 Zinfandel Russian River Estate shows the quality of the vintage beautifully. Classic black and blue fruits, violets, peppery herbs, and spiced orange zest notes all emerge from the glass, and this puppy hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, no hard edges, a seamless texture, and just everything in the right places. Flawlessly balanced and already a joy to drink, it’s going to keep for 10-12 years in cold cellars.”
95 Points

TURLEY
2017 ZINFANDEL
OLD VINE

Members’ price: $36

From The Wine Advocate, “… the 2017 Zinfandel Old Vines features exotic spice accents over a core of blueberry and boysenberry compote, crushed black cherries and berries with notes of cinnamon stick and potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, it has loads of spicy black and blue fruits in the mouth with firm, ripe tannins to frame and juicy acidity, finishing long and very spicy.” 92 Points

From Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, “The 2017 Zinfandel Old Vines is rich, ample and fleshy. The heat of the year gave the Old Vines a little extra kick. Dried cherry, licorice and spice add an exotic flair to this super-expressive wine loaded with class and pedigree.“ 91 Points