Titus Zinfandel 2018 | New Vintage Old Vine Napa Zin from 100pt Winemakers
Titus Zinfandel 2018 presents a ponderous shade of purple-ruby. While the nose is dominated by ripe mixed berries—boysenberry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry. Plus hints of vanilla, clove, pink peppercorn, and fresh clotted cream. Ripe on the attack, broad, and full-bodied, the flavors of black and red fruits are interspersed with firm, chewy tannins. The finish leaves lingering notes of pepper, vanilla, and five-spice. A densely structured Zinfandel. Yet, with enough stuffing to pair with everything from a juicy burger to a pizza to seared duck breast. Another gem from Phil Titus. Drink now – 2028.
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While crafted by 100-point Chappellet and Coho winemaker Phil Titus. Impressively, the Titus Zinfandel 2018 manages to surpass the promise of a blockbuster vintage. Pouring a mesmerizing shade of purple-ruby, it’s got a nose of ripe mixed berries accented by vanilla, clove, pink peppercorn. And fresh clotted cream that bursts from the glass on the first swirl. Ripe on the attack, broad, and full-bodied, it’s framed by firm, chewy tannins that deliver lingering notes of pepper, vanilla, and five-spice.
The Brothers Eric & Phil Titus
So the Titus brothers are a force to be reckoned with in Napa Valley. This year marks their 50th anniversary of farming in the valley, but our favorite thing to do with the Titus brothers is drinking wine.
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We arrived expecting to taste the 2017, but when proprietor Eric Titus greeted us, he threw us a curveball. While he had a decent amount of the ‘17 left, he told us. But looking hard at the numbers, not nearly enough for our clients.
Titus Vineyards
In the late 1970s, about a decade after settling in St. Helena, the Titus family bought a hayfield adjacent to their property and planted it to Zinfandel. At around the same time, they replanted an existing vineyard block to Zin, giving them eight total acres.
Those vines, now over 40-years-old, are still thriving, putting out gorgeous and balanced fruit. “We’re heavily influenced by proximity to the coast,” Eric said. So, as we swirled the tightly-knit yet fresh Zin and marveled over the black pepper and licorice notes that adorn the ripe fruit. “We’ll get the hot days, there’s usually a 40-degree differential—it’s gonna be in the 50s at night.”
