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Rack of Lamb and Caramel Ribs to pair with our Winter 2023 Club wines

caramel ribs with cucumber salad and coconut rice

Open that shipment of Marietta and let’s start cooking. So many great flavors ahead.

Wintertime is so great for slow cooked meats. This great recipe has a spice element to it as well to warm you from the inside out. A perfect meal after playing out in the cold water air. The richness from the ribs and heat from the chilis pairs so well with our refreshing Riesling. Crack a bottle and start prepping. 

Serves 6

Pair with: 2021 Nadi Riesling 

Ingredients

PORK RIBS

3 lbs pork spare ribs cut into 1.5 inch wide (called flanken cut)
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup water
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon minced or grated garlic
2 tablespoons fish sauce
juice of 1 lemon

 

CUCUMBER SALAD

4 cucumbers 
1 knob ginger – minced
1 shallot – minced
2 teaspoons coconut sugar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/4 cup champagne vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 chopped Fresno chili

 

COCONUT WATER RICE

2 cups Basmati or jasmine rice
3 cups coconut water
1 knob of ginger
4 bay leaves

Preparation

Ribs:

Make caramel with coconut sugar, white sugar and water. Put ingredients in a heavy saucepan on medium heat till caramel forms. Add fish sauce, garlic, shallot, ginger and lemon juice. Once the caramel is made and the aromatics added,  let it cool before you add the ribs. Marinate ribs overnight in cooled caramel sauce in sealed container. The next day, cook the ribs for 3 hours on low in a heavy bottomed pot. Once the ribs are tender, pull them out and reduce the liquid in the pot till its a syrup consistency. Add the ribs back and serve garnished with scallion and fresh fresno chili.

Cucumber Salad:

  • Cucumbers- slice the cucumbers and salt for ½ hour. Rinse cucumbers and spin in a salad spinner
  • Dressing – combine the minced shallot, ginger and vinegar for 15 minutes and allow to macerate. Then add the remainder of the dressing ingredients and toss with the cucumbers and put in the fridge till ready to serve.

Coconut Rice:

Cook the rice in the coconut water – 1 cup rice to 1.5 cups coconut water. Put the bay and whole knob of ginger in with the rice while it cooks.

Serves 6

Pair with: 2021 Nadi Riesling

 

Rack of lamb with brian's salsa

The hearty and savory qualities to this dish pair so beautifully with our winter release reds. Best served with mashed potatoes and a little side salad. Dealers choice on these. We got you covered on the lamb and salsa recipe. 

Serves 6

Pair with: 2019 Armé and 2019 Gibson Block

ingredients

RACK OF LAMB

3 racks of lamb
herbes de Provence
salt
fresh ground black pepper

BRIANS SALSA

3 cloves garlic
1 shallot
1 Anaheim chili or hatch chili scalded over the stove flame 

2 hydrated dried Anaheim chilis

2 hydrated dried New Mexican chilis

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

Handful of basil

Handful of cilantro

Handful of parsley

1/2 tablespoon of smoked paprika. 

 

Preparation

Lamb:

Rub the lamb with salt, pepper and herbes de Provence and let sit out to come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit (convection setting preferable). Once salsa (recipe below) is complete put lamb in the oven for about 25 minutes – check doneness at 15 minutes. Once done, pull out of the oven to rest for 5-10 minutes. Cut and serve with salsa and other sides.

Salsa:

Blend ingredients above. Heat over low flame for 15 minutes to blend the flavors. Serve hot with the lamb or chill for a dip or condiment. 

Serves 6

Pair with: 2019 Armé and 2019 Gibson Block

 

Casarecce with Wild Mushrooms, Pecorino, and Gremolata

The season’s best wild mushrooms are cooked in an abundance of California olive oil, garlic, and thyme before being tossed with al dente Casarecce pasta. Little jewels of English peas pair perfectly with tangy and salty Pecorino Romano and fresh chopped gremolata. This earthy mushroom pasta will stand up to almost any Bordeaux-style wine with its green notes, fatty sauce, and salty cheese.

Pair with: 2018 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Ingredients

1 lb. Caserecce pasta
1 lb. wild mushrooms (morel, king trumpet, hedgehog, chanterelle, etc.)
5 cloves garlic
1⁄2 bunch thyme; picked and chopped
1 carrot
1 stalk celery
1 yellow onion
2 bay leaves
1⁄2 cup English peas; shelled
1 small wedge Pecorino Romano
1⁄2 bunch parsley
1 Eureka lemon
2 cups water
salt
olive oil

Preparation

Mushroom Ragu:
Peel carrot and onion, then dice into 1/4” cubes along with celery. Sauté in large pot over a medium-low flame with bay leaves until fully tender. While the vegetables sauté, clean and wash mushrooms and cut into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and sauté in olive oil until cooked through and lightly browned, then add to vegetables.

On the side, sizzle 4 cloves of garlic that have been chopped fine until very fragrant. Add thyme and cook briefly, then stir into mushrooms and vegetables, add water, and simmer together until the water has reduced most of the way and the mixture is juicy and flavorful. Remove and discard the bay leaves.

Gremolata:
Peel the rind from the lemon and remove any white pith from the inside. Chop rind finely, along with parsley and one clove of garlic.

To Serve:
Heat ragu in a large sauté pan. Boil pasta in salted water until desired doneness, and when a few minutes remain, add English peas to the pasta water and cook together until tender. Remove pasta and peas from water and add to ragu.

Sauté together, adding pasta water as needed, until ragu forms a saucy consistency. Divide onto plates, grate Pecorino over the top, and sprinkle with gremolata.

Pair with: 2018 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon

More Spring Recipes:

Grilled Sirloin + 2019 EX MARIETTA Syrah

Citrus & Spiced-almond Salad + 2020 Román Zinfandel

2023 | SUNSET INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION REVIEW

What a honor to be featured in the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition awards. It’s always rewarding to know our efforts shine through. You’ll definitely be reaching for this wine for all your summer grilling and garden produce creations. Bright and refreshing, the Angeli is always a crowd pleaser. 

2021 ANGELI ZINFANDEL

95 POINTS SUNSET MAGAZINE | SINGLE ESTATE Series

“Juicy, fresh, attractive.” DOUBLE GOLD, SUNSET MAGAZINE

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2023 | RECENT REVIEWS

We pour ourselves into our wines each year to create pure expression from our vineyards and to bottle the highest quality wines possible. To know that our efforts shine through and are seen is incredibly rewarding. Truly honored by the most recent reviews we’ve gotten from the Wine Advocate, James Suckling and Decanter.

2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah

96 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | EX MARIETTA Series

“Deep ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Petite Sirah is scented of blueberry, plums and dark cherry candy, with touches of tar, tobacco, violet and iron that continue to blossom as it spends time in the glass. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet restrained, its concentrated, floral fruits supported by clay-textured tannins, seamless acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. It’s a fantastic example of Petite Sirah that maintains elegance and lift—not an easy feat for this inherently powerful variety.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2019 EX MARIETTA Syrah

96 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | EX MARIETTA Series

“The 2019 Syrah Angeli Vineyard is a brand-new wine from Marietta that represents the best barrels of the vintage. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it has exceptional perfume and an elegant expression, with pure aromas of blueberry, milk chocolate, iron, aniseed, thyme and violet. The full-bodied palate is packed with mineral-laced fruits, turning up the intensity and volume without taking on too much weight. It has loads of pixelated tannins, bursts of fresh acidity and a long, layered finish. Only about 56 cases were made.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2019 GAME TRAIL CABERNET

94 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE, 95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING | Single Estate Series

“Medium ruby-purple, the 2019 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon features scents of blackcurrant and blackcurrant bud, chocolate, star anise, iron and violet. Powerful yet fresh, the full-bodied palate has loads of grainy tannins and bright sparks of acidity highlighting its floral perfume. It has mineral-streaked fruits and a long, layered finish with singular wafts of incense.” WINE ADVOCATE

“Lovely aromas of red- and blackcurrants, black olive and fresh mint. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, tight tannins. Layered with some pretty red and black fruits. Black pepper, nutmeg, coriander, black licorice. An attuned mix of earth and fresh fruit. Great. Grown at 1400 ft elevation. Clone 6. Drink or hold.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2019 GIBSON BLOCK

95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE, 95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING | Single Estate Series

“Deep ruby-purple, the 2019 Gibson Block Syrah has a core of cassis and soaring violet perfume with accents of coffee beans, dark chocolate, aniseed and mint. The full-bodied palate is powerful and concentrated with broody, iron-laced fruits, pleasantly chewy tannins and bright freshness elevating floral perfume on the finish.” WINE ADVOCATE

“Some lovely rounded aromas of cut plums, black tea, well-ripened red cherries and sage. Medium-to full-bodied with tight tannins. Lovely, subtle concentration and intensity here. Generous without being overblown. Tar and bark. Driven with structure and length. A lovely example of what Northern California syrah is capable of. Best after 2024.”JAMES SUCKLING

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2019 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon

94 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE, 93 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING| Family Series

“The 2019 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium ruby-purple color and layered aromas of red and black currants, violet, iron, underbrush and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate is pleasantly rustic and a touch chewy, with bright acidity, pretty floral perfume and an earth-laced finish.” WINE ADVOCATE

“Rounded aromas of red cherries, nutmeg and sage. Full-bodied with fine, structured tannins. A solid core of black and red fruits with lovely notes of black tea and toasted herbs. Walnut and green tobacco too. Very good length and balance. 82% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 3% malbec and 3% petit verdot. Drink or hold.” JAMES SUCKLING

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2019 Christo Red

96 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE, 93 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING| Family Series

“A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Viognier, the 2019 Christo has a deep ruby-purple color and alluring scents of blueberry jam and cassis with accents of loamy earth, violet, coffee beans and iron. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet silky, with seamless acidity and gobs of pure violet perfume on the long, layered finish. It’s easy to drink now but offers a decade or more of cellaring potential.” WINE ADVOCATE

“Aromas of green olive, black cherries, blackberries and oolong. Full-bodied with lovely fine, slightly tight tannins. Focused and driven with sturdy depth and length. Meaty with graphite undertones. 65% syrah, 22% grenache, 10% petite sirah and 3% viognier. Drink or hold.” JAMES SUCKLING

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2020 román zinfandel

92 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE, 92 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING | Family Series

“A blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Barbera, the 2020 Román Zinfandel has a medium ruby-purple color and aromatic layers of raspberry, red cherry, rhubarb, aniseed and lilac with touches of iron and orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is gently chewy, with tart, juicy fruits and a spicy finish.” WINE ADVOCATE

“Aromas of red cherries, nutmeg, black pepper and blackberries. Medium-to full-bodied with some silky tannins. There is some nice spice here which is well married to the crushed red fruit and berries. Chocolate finish. 92% zinfandel, 4% petite sirah and 4% barbera. Drink now.”JAMES SUCKLING

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2021 NADI RIESLING

92 POINTS DECANTER | Family Series

“From a vineyard in the Gabilan Mountains comes Marietta’s dry Riesling of the Cienega Valley. A nice balance of savory character and bright fruits; aromas of briny sea air mingle with crushed chalk, keffir lime leaves, and citrus peel. The palate is bright, lively and textured – oyster shell, apricot skin and fresh mint flavors. The finish is long, lifted and alive.” DECANTER

 

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Old Vine Red, Lot 73

95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | OVR

“The NV OVR Lot 73 is composed mainly of Zinfandel with smaller portions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Barbera. Medium ruby, it offers intense red cherry, blood orange and apricot perfume with accents of rooibos tea leaves, red licorice, saline, lilac and loads of spicy nuances. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet with soft tannins, bursts of refreshing acidity and detailed amaro accents on the long finish. This is so easy to drink!” WINE ADVOCATE

SOLD OUT

2021 Old Vine Rosé

93 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE, 92 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING | OVR 

“Medium cherry pink in color, the 2021 Old Vine Rosé has deep scents of yellow peaches, watermelon, and red cherries with touches of stone and potpourri. The palate boasts concentrated, fruity flavors balanced by zippy acidity, and it finishes with pretty orange peel accents. This is such a delicious rosé! It’s made up of co-fermented Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir and Syrah.” WINE ADVOCATE

“A rather perfumed and elegant nose with notes of strawberries, thyme, sage and lemon leaf. Medium-bodied. A serious rosé with quite a lot of complexity and concentration. So much happening but it remains approachable and totally delicious. Lovely tannins in the finish. 50% syrah, 25% grenache gris and 25% grenache noir. Drink now.” JAMES SUCKLING

SOLD OUT

2023 | WINE ADVOCATE REVIEWS
 
 

We know how much passion and hard work we put into our wines. When others can recognize it, we are truly honored. Humbled by these recent reviews from the Wine Advocate. Order yours for your cellar now before we sell through them.

2021 ANGELI ESTATE ZINFANDEL

96 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | SINGLE ESTATE Series

“(A) gorgeous Angeli in 2021 that is incredibly expressive and perfumed. Blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry give way to wafts of graphite, gobs of violet and even touches of tangerine. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with concentrated fruit and expansive layers of floral perfume and spice. It has a powdery frame, bursts of mouthwatering acidity and a very long, nuanced finish.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2021 GIBSON BLOCK HISTORIC BLEND

95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | SINGLE ESTATE Series

“The 2021 Gibson Block comes from an incredible block of vines in McDowell Valley, planted more than 135 years ago. It’s bursting with kaleidoscopic scents of wild berry preserves, Luxardo cherries and apricot plus touches of garrigue, potpourri, aniseed and game meats. The full-bodied palate is pleasantly rustic in style, its softly chewy tannins supporting concentrated fruit. It has plenty of refreshing acidity to balance and a tremendously spicy finish. Yum!” WINE ADVOCATE

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2021 GAME TRAIL CABERNET

94 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | SINGLE ESTATE Series

“The 2021 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon is crunchy, refreshing and easy to drink. It’s scented of fresh blackcurrants and cherries, plus nuances of garrigue and charcuterie. The full-bodied palate is light on its feet with softly chalky tannins, bursts of mouthwatering acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. You could drink this on its own or have it with medium-weight dishes at the table.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2021 NADI DRY RIESLING

93 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | FAMILY Series

“The 2021 Dry Riesling Wirz Vineyard comes from some of the oldest Riesling vines in California; the head-pruned, dry- farmed vines were planted in 1952 in Cienega Valley on limestone. It’s spicy, delicious and hard to put down, opening with gregarious scents of white peach, candle smoke, lime, biscuit and loads of floral perfume. The light-bodied palate is dry and shimmery, balancing racy acidity with creamy citrus fruit and flinty undertones, and it has a long, spicy finish. 800 cases were made.” WINE ADVOCATE

 

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2021 ROMÁN ZINFANDEL

95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | FAMILY Series

“The 2021 Román Zinfandel is juicy, alluring and easy to drink without sacrificing complexity, offering tremendous quality for its modest price. Blended with 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Barbera, the nose is bursting with kaleidoscopic yellow peaches, strawberries and raspberries plus nuances of sage, aniseed and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate has a finely chalky frame, fireworks of fresh acidity and generous layers of spicy fruit that call you back for another sip.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2021 Christo Syrah rhone blend

93 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | FAMILY Series

“The 2021 Christo is a blend of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 8% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. The nose features fresh blackcurrant and blueberry aromas with tones of cast iron, violet, sagebrush and conifer. The full-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with restrained, mineral-driven fruit and a long, perfumed finish. Give it 2-3 years in bottle or a couple hours in a decanter.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2021 ARMÉ CABERNET

93 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | Family Series

“The 2021 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It has pretty tones of blueberries and black cherries with nuances of lavender, thyme and underbrush. The palate is medium-bodied, chalky and refreshing, with surprising depth of crunchy fruit and floral sparks across the long, juicy finish.” WINE ADVOCATE

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OLD VINE RED LOT 74

93 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | OVR 

“The NV Old Vine Red Lot 74 is primarily Zinfandel, with some Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan, Grenache and Barbera. Spicy and easy to drink, it has aromas of red and black cherries, mint, bitter chocolate and allspice with earthy undertones. The medium-bodied palate is finely chalky and refreshing, with spicy fruit and an easygoing finish. This will be enjoyable with almost any dish at the table and, as always, overdelivers for the price.” WINE ADVOCATE

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2022 Old Vine Rosé

92 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE | OVR 

“A blend of 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache Noir and 25% Grenache Gris, the 2022 Old Vine Rosé has a medium cherry-pink color and pretty scents of peach, dried herbs and charcuterie. The light-bodied palate is bright and refreshing with a deep core of fruit, a touch of anchoring texture and a long, spicy finish. It drinks well on its own, although it will pair widely at the table.” WINE ADVOCATE

SOLD OUT

2022 Wine Advocate Review, parts 1 & 2

*updated Sep 24, 2022, to add EX MARIETTA reviews

Marietta is a true working winery. We take a thoughtful, roll-up-your-sleeves approach every step of the way, and let the wine speak for itself. This summer, we’re honored to have received the highest scoring portfolio review from Wine Advocate in our winery’s 45-year history. View the first two parts of our 2022 review below—including our EX MARIETTA, Family, OVR Series wines. 

2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah

96 POINTS | EX MARIETTA Series

“Deep ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Petite Sirah is scented of blueberry, plums and dark cherry candy, with touches of tar, tobacco, violet and iron that continue to blossom as it spends time in the glass. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet restrained, its concentrated, floral fruits supported by clay-textured tannins, seamless acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. It’s a fantastic example of Petite Sirah that maintains elegance and lift—not an easy feat for this inherently powerful variety.”

SHOP NOW >

2019 EX MARIETTA Syrah

96 POINTS | EX MARIETTA Series

“The 2019 Syrah Angeli Vineyard is a brand-new wine from Marietta that represents the best barrels of the vintage. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it has exceptional perfume and an elegant expression, with pure aromas of blueberry, milk chocolate, iron, aniseed, thyme and violet. The full-bodied palate is packed with mineral-laced fruits, turning up the intensity and volume without taking on too much weight. It has loads of pixelated tannins, bursts of fresh acidity and a long, layered finish. Only about 56 cases were made.”

SHOP NOW >

2019 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon

94 POINTS | Family Series

“The 2019 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium ruby-purple color and layered aromas of red and black currants, violet, iron, underbrush and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate is pleasantly rustic and a touch chewy, with bright acidity, pretty floral perfume and an earth-laced finish.”

SHOP NOW >

2019 Christo Red

96 POINTS | Family Series

“A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Viognier, the 2019 Christo has a deep ruby-purple color and alluring scents of blueberry jam and cassis with accents of loamy earth, violet, coffee beans and iron. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet silky, with seamless acidity and gobs of pure violet perfume on the long, layered finish. It’s easy to drink now but offers a decade or more of cellaring potential.”

SHOP NOW >

2020 román zinfandel

92 POINTS | Family Series

“A blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Barbera, the 2020 Román Zinfandel has a medium ruby-purple color and aromatic layers of raspberry, red cherry, rhubarb, aniseed and lilac with touches of iron and orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is gently chewy, with tart, juicy fruits and a spicy finish.”

SHOP NOW >

Old Vine Red, Lot 73

95 POINTS | OVR Series

“The NV OVR Lot 73 is composed mainly of Zinfandel with smaller portions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Barbera. Medium ruby, it offers intense red cherry, blood orange and apricot perfume with accents of rooibos tea leaves, red licorice, saline, lilac and loads of spicy nuances. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet with soft tannins, bursts of refreshing acidity and detailed amaro accents on the long finish. This is so easy to drink!”

SHOP NOW >

2021 Old Vine Rosé

93 POINTS | OVR Series

“Medium cherry pink in color, the 2021 Old Vine Rosé has deep scents of yellow peaches, watermelon, and red cherries with touches of stone and potpourri. The palate boasts concentrated, fruity flavors balanced by zippy acidity, and it finishes with pretty orange peel accents. This is such a delicious rosé! It’s made up of co-fermented Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir and Syrah.”

SHOP NOW > 

Fall ’22 Club: 2019 Angeli Zinfandel

Once a component of the Angeli Cuvée, this Zinfandel long stood out for its brilliance, clarity, and leanness. Now, showcased on its own, it speaks volumes about this unique little canyon off Alexander Valley known as Angeli Ranch. The halo-like image on the label pays homage to Viola Angeli, who sold the Angeli Ranch to Chris Bilbro in an angelic act that mirrors her name.

The estate series from Marietta is made with terroir in mind above all else. For many years these sites were included in blends, though they routinely stood out as extraordinary. These wines are true expressions of unique sites, crafted with freshness, tension and longevity in mind.

2019 Angeli Zinfandel

ESTATE SERIES

100% Zinfandel | Angeli Ranch Estate, Alexander Valley AVA

This is a thoughtful, structured organic Zinfandel wine with expressive texture and a bright disposition. Boysenberries, fragrant strawberries, and fresh lavender are seamlessly interwoven with peppered spice, cinnamon, and rich earth tones, providing harmonious complexity. The extremes of this site create a wine that is full bodied yet graceful, equally enjoyable now as it is ageworthy.

TASTING NOTES

From the Angeli vineyard in the Alexander Valley, these vines are grown in a large gravel swale that was the former Russian River prior to streambed migration. Yielding notes of potpourri and raspberry with exotic undernotes of orange chocolate and roses, this is not your average Zinfandel. Spicy white pepper and mint add freshness and verve to the brambly, dried cranberry filled mouth. Both pleasurable and demanding, this screams to be enjoyed with food… the bright acid and focused mouthfeel balance out rich and savory fare such as duck or mushroom risotto.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

An excellent foil to charred scallions, leg of lamb, and rosemary-scented potatoes, or as a more sturdy accompaniment to a creamy chocolate dessert.

CRITICS REVIEWS

95 POINTS | Wine Advocate: “The 2019 Angeli Zinfandel has a medium ruby color and elegant perfume of white peaches, white pepper, tea leaves, licorice and wild berries. The palate balances intense, ultra-perfumed fruit with loads of lift, and it finishes long and full of flavor. This is notable for its stellar price-to-quality ratio.”

95 POINTS | James Suckling: “Such a pretty zin with blackberries, figs, flowers and some bark on the nose. Follows through to a medium body, with firm and fine tannins and a fresh, spicy finish that develops into a black-pepper undertone. Very balanced zin.”

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This wine is included in the 2022 Fall Club Shipment, along with our club-exclusive 2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah, and our 2019 Christo Red from our Family series Learn more about the Marietta Wine Club here.

Vineyard Notes

The Angeli Ranch was sold to Chris Bilbro in 1990 by Viola Angeli, whose family had originally settled the land in 1886. When Viola was ready to sell the property, she offered it to Chris Bibro because he had purchased the grapes from the ranch for many years and always visited with Viola regularly. 35 acres of vineyards connect gravel swales from the Russian River to terraced knolls invisible from the valley floor. The Angeli Zinfandel takes its name from the homesteading family and exemplifies the cool effect of these unique vineyards in a bright, tense, and stony expression of Zinfandel.

Keep Exploring

2022 Fall Club Selection

2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah. LEARN MORE>

2019 Christo Red. LEARN MORE>

2019 Angeli Zinfandel. SHOP NOW>

Fall ’22 Club: 2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah

We’re thrilled to release our first single-varietal Petite Sirah in nearly two decades as part of our member-exclusive EX MARIETTA series. This 100% Petite Sirah from our Angeli Ranch estate in Alexander Valley is bold, flavorful, and the perfect complement to rich, nuanced fall meals. Learn more about this exciting new release below. 

EX MARIETTA is intended for the curious palate, one that seeks nuance, tension, and atypical balance. We’re capturing thrilling snapshots in the cellar—small lot wines that excite us as a winemakers and artists—and giving them a smaller stage and tighter frame.

2019 EX marietta Petite Sirah

EX MARIETTA Series

100% Petite Sirah, Angeli Ranch, Alexander Valley AVA

Sourced from a single vineyard block comprised of shale and gravel soil. Handpicked, fermented at cooler-then-normal temps in stainless steel, and aged 20 months in neutral French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES

Smelling this wine is like finding refuge in a cool, dark cave in the middle of the afternoon. There is a change in the temperature, a stillness, and an absence of sound. Earth and iron-rich rock rise to the nose. A hint of the heady forest floor outside still wafts in. The aromatic space is protected, strong, and available… and feels like it will be there whether you visit or not. On the mouth, texture is the first impression: like fine silt flowing over the river bottom, a feeling of motion, erosion, and settling. Bitter chocolate, plum cake, and blueberries swirl through the incredible density of flavors. Given the intensity, the wine is amazingly bright, clean, and still nimble. 

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

Time-worn, pure, and monolithic… this wine will stand up to wild game, mirror the darkness of Oaxacan mole negro, help ground the creamy crustiness of french bread and cheese, or deepen a beef stew, all while giving both your taste buds and mind layers of stimulation for any evening.

CRITICS REVIEWS

96 POINTS | Wine Advocate: “Deep ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Petite Sirah is scented of blueberry, plums and dark cherry candy, with touches of tar, tobacco, violet and iron that continue to blossom as it spends time in the glass. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet restrained, its concentrated, floral fruits supported by clay-textured tannins, seamless acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. It’s a fantastic example of Petite Sirah that maintains elegance and lift—not an easy feat for this inherently powerful variety..”

SHOP NOW

This wine is included in the 2022 Fall Club Shipment, along with our 2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah, and our 2019 Christo Red from our Family series Learn more about the Marietta Wine Club here.

Vineyard Notes

The Angeli Ranch was sold to Chris Bilbro in 1990 by Viola Angeli, whose family had originally settled the land in 1886. When Viola was ready to sell the property, she offered it to Chris Bibro because he had purchased the grapes from the ranch for many years and always visited with Viola regularly. 35 acres of vineyards connect gravel swales from the Russian River to terraced knolls invisible from the valley floor. The Angeli Zinfandel takes its name from the homesteading family and exemplifies the cool effect of these unique vineyards in a bright, tense, and stony expression of Zinfandel.

Keep Exploring

2022 Fall Club Selection

2019 Angeli Zinfandel. LEARN MORE>

2019 Christo Red. LEARN MORE>

2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah. SHOP NOW>

Fall ’22 Club: 2019 Christo Red

Named and styled after Chris Bilbro, affectionately called “Christo” by his great-aunt Marietta, this Rhone varietal blend is gentle but powerful, pleasurable but deep, and refined while raw. An ode to Scot’s father and founder of Marietta Cellars, this blend is largely Syrah from the McDowell estate, blended with Petite Sirah from the Angeli Estate and Grenache from the Yorkville Highlands Estate. The pig snout on the label is a reminder of how Chris Bilbro made wild boar sausage and carted his creations around the country to share with chefs and wine lovers alike as he sold Marietta wines.

Marietta’s family series is an ode to the elements that have unified the family’s winemakers over time: family, hard work, passion, and a love for the creative process that is winemaking.

2019 Christo Red

FAMILY SERIES

Estate grown, North Coast Appellation

65% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Viognier

Aged for 20 months in neutral barrels. 15.0% ABV

This California grown Rhône varietal blend is focused and piquant with a smack of black pepper, lifted by the scent of dried roses. It surges with ripe Rainier cherries, a touch of dark chocolate, and a depth of black tea and licorice, delivering both power and balance with a seemingly endless finish

TASTING NOTES

The cool weather throughout August and September meant the grapes for Christo were afforded maximum hang-time to develop deep, dark intensity without the ripeness that would yield soaring alcohols. Violet, ripe plum, and sage combine to create an evocative nose with hints of charcuterie and iron-like minerality adding an undercurrent of wildness. On the palette, dried strawberries, dark chocolate and black tea richly coat every available surface leaving a chewiness that speaks to aging. Named and styled after Marietta’s founder, Chris Bilbro, this wine is a conundrum of opposites: extracted, intensely flavorful, yet somehow gentle and welcoming.

VINTAGE NOTES

The 2019 Harvest brought another fantastic year of smooth weather with a slow-paced, even-growing season. Temperatures were a bit cooler than average, leading to picking a week or so later than typical norms. As per the recent Northern California pattern, fire showed up in late October adding to the stress of the season. Grapes were picked by then and the wines show great depth, measured ripeness, and wonderful retained freshness.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

Like the snout on the label suggests, Christo pairs well with wild boar sausage, game and other rustic dishes. Try it with olive-braised rabbit, cassoulet or mushroom ragù over polenta.

CRITICS REVIEWS

96 POINTS | Wine Advocate: A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Viognier, the 2019 Christo has a deep ruby-purple color and alluring scents of blueberry jam and cassis with accents of loamy earth, violet, coffee beans and iron. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet silky, with seamless acidity and gobs of pure violet perfume on the long, layered finish. It’s easy to drink now but offers a decade or more of cellaring potential.

SHOP NOW

This wine is included in the 2022 Fall Club Shipment, along with our club-exclusive 2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah, and our 2019 Angeli Zinfandel from our Estate series. Learn more about the Marietta Wine Club here.

Vineyard Notes

The Syrah comes from the McDowell Valley estate, situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, benefits from the cold sink that ensure cools nights and preserves acidity and freshness. The Petite Sirah comes from the Angeli Estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and the Grenache comes from the Yorkville Highlands estate at 1,400 ft in elevation on the mountain pass between the Anderson Valley and the Alexander Valley.

Keep Exploring

2022 Fall Club Selection

2019 EX MARIETTA Petite Sirah. LEARN MORE>

2019 Angeli Zinfandel. LEARN MORE>

2019 Christo Red. SHOP NOW>

2020 Román Zinfandel

Named in honor of our cellarmaster, Román Cisneros, who has worked at Marietta for over three decades, this Estate Zinfandel is a blend of fruit from our Angeli estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and our McDowell Valley estate vineyard. This wine captures the bright, juicy character of Zinfandel, hearkening back to an era before dark, thick and oaky styles of Zinfandel took hold. The Virgin of Guadalupe on the label is a nod to Román’s dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice, both for the Bilbro family and his own. It is also a nod to the Mexican-American heritage of Román and many of Marietta’s crew members.

The Man, the Myth, the Legend

Román Cisneros, Marietta’s first and oldest employee, is undeniably the backbone of wine production at Marietta Cellars. The Román Zinfandel is a salute to the man who built his legacy from the ground up through more physical work than anyone could ever match, and ultimate dedication to his family. Get to know Román through the video below. 

2020 Román Zinfandel

FAMILY SERIES

92% Zinfandel, 4% Barbara, 4% Petit Sirah. Estate grown, North Coast Appellation
A unique approach of cool fermentations and 12 months of neutral barrel aging emphasize freshness in Marietta’s Zinfandel. This varietally labeled Zinfandel is blended with a small amount of Petite Sirah to lend structure and a touch of Barbera to add a dimension of savory wildness.

TASTING NOTES

Lovely aromas of berry galette with a touch of crisped brown sugar are underscored by rose petal and orange zest. The broad, supple palate offers ripe grilled peach, finishing clean with lingering notes of black pepper and star anise.

VINTAGE NOTES

Fortunately, we were able to harvest optimally ripened fruit before the 2020 fires, right in the middle of a pandemic. Working through uncertain conditions, the vineyard and winery crews pulled through with beautiful grapes and subsequently gorgeous wines.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

The Román Zinfandel pairs well with pizzas, pastas, grilled foods, and tangy, smoky barbecue sauces

SHOP NOW

This wine is included in the 2022 Spring Club Shipment, along with the debut of Ex Marietta, the 2019 Angeli Syrah, and the 2018 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about the Marietta Wine Club here.

Vineyard Notes

The fruit for this wine comes from the Angeli Estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and the McDowell Valley estate. The Angeli Ranch, first planted to vines in the late 1880s, is a 35 acre vineyard connecting Zinfandel planted on gravel swales from the Russian River to terraced knolls planted with Cabernet. Foggy mornings along the Russian River burn off to hot afternoons followed by chilly nights, striking the perfect balance between warm days and cool nights. The McDowell Valley estate, situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, resides in a round “cold sink” that ensures acidity and freshness.

Scot & Brian Talk Wine

Marietta Owner and Winemaker Scot Bilbro talks Román Zin with VP of Sales and veteran of the vines Brian Lynch. 

Keep Exploring

Learn more about the 2022 Spring Club wines through the links below.

Ex Marietta Series 2019 Angeli Syrah. LEARN MORE>

Estate Series 2018 Game Trail. LEARN MORE>