Mandolin is a small California winery run by Philip Zorn and Matt Shortbridge. It appears that they are no longer producing Zinfandel, but you may still come across this 2003 Lodi Zinfandel from them, as I did.
There’s a nice intensity on the nose of this Zin. It has a bit of cedar, plum, cherry and oddly enough a little banana in the bouquet. The palate is less complex and has mostly plum flavors, plus some cherry and chocolate. It’s not nearly as jammy as a lot of Lodi Zinfandels. There is a hint of pepper on the finish, but there’s not much spice in this one.
Overall, it’s an OK wine with no real flaws but it lacks complexity. It’s also not very characteristic of what you would expect from a Lodi Zinfandel.
Wine: Mandolin Old Vines Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2003
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 81
Price Paid: $13.99
Find Mandolin Old Vines Zinfandel with Snooth