Old Vine

  • Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc

    Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc

    Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc stood out when I first discovered at a Sainsbury’s press wine tasting. It is new to their range and was easily one of the highlights of the event. Once found only in independent wine merchants, it has now found its way onto supermarket shelves, making it more accessible. The wine…

  • Alain Grignon, Réserve Vieilles Vignes Carignan

    Alain Grignon, Réserve Vieilles Vignes Carignan

    Sourced from old vines, some over a hundred years in age, in the village of Limoux, within the Languedoc region of southern France, this 2023 vintage wine is a great example of 100% Carignan. However, the age of the vines is a crucial factor here. ‘Vieilles Vignes’ means ‘old vines’ that help lend the wine…

  • Understanding Old Vines

    Understanding Old Vines

    Old vines have long captivated the imagination of wine enthusiasts and producers alike, often associated with wines of exceptional quality and character. But what exactly constitutes an ‘old vine’ and do these venerable plants truly produce superior wines? This aspect of viticulture is both intriguing and complex, requiring an understanding of the term itself and…

  • Three Finger Jack Old Vine Zinfandel

    Three Finger Jack Old Vine Zinfandel

    This wine, from California, takes its name from the notorious gunslinger Three Finger Jack, a figure from California’s Gold Rush era of the 1800s. Made as an homage to his bold spirit, the wine is aged in a combination of French and American oak, enhancing its depth and complexity. This 2020 vintage offers inviting aromas…

  • Hacienda Uvanis, Garnacha Old Vines

    Hacienda Uvanis, Garnacha Old Vines

    I often buy wines that have caught my eye during press tastings and I first spotted this one at a Lidl press tasting early in 2024. It has been sitting around for a while, being overlooked as newer wines arrived. However, I decided to open it on a whim and was amazed by how good…

  • Canyon Springs Old Vine Zinfandel

    Canyon Springs Old Vine Zinfandel

    The Canyon Springs Old Vine Zinfandel 2020 is bottled and cellared by the rather elusive Eagle Rock Vineyards, as I couldn’t find much about them online. However, with a commendable 3.9 score on Vivino, it’s clear this wine is popular among tasters. At first, the wine greets you with an inviting bouquet of red berries….

  • Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

    Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

    Ravenswood, once a revered producer closely linked with the renowned winemaker and owner, Joel Peterson, has seen a series of transitions. Initially acquired by Constellation for $149 million, it was later bundled with other brands and sold to the large wine conglomerate, Gallo, in 2021 for $1.7 billion. It’s essential to note that while the…