Tofanelli Family Charbono 2013 | Zin lovers must try this!

Tofanelli Family Charbono 2013 is brilliant ruby. Gorgeous aromas of mountain blueberry, blueberries, boysenberries, dark cocoa, and crushed rocks. Rich, terrifically concentrated, with a vibrant acid backbone. While featuring a luscious black-fruit core, sprinkled with sage and mocha. At once finely delineated like an excellent Médoc, but with the earthy intensity of excellent Côte Rotie. Sourced from the famed Tofanelli Vineyard in Napa.

Red Wine Gems under $35

90WA | Maybe the best Charbono I have tasted from California as of late.  Tofanelli Family Charbono 2013 displays almost Rhône Valley-like earthiness. In addition, notes of garrigue intermixed with some chocolate, roasted meats, black cherries, and blackcurrants.  While deep ruby/purple, spicy, earthy and very distinctive, it should be drunk over the next 4-5 years.

One of the most epic and awesome vintages

Robert Parker called 2013 “one of the most epic and awesome vintages” in the history of Napa Valley, making for a Charbono for the ages. While cooler than 2012, the growing season was filled with blue-sky days.  Furthermore, daytime highs staying between the mid-80s and mid-90s. As a result, harvest took place under near-perfect conditions.  Hence leading to an exquisite crop of Charbono and Petite Sirah, infused with the firmest acids and ripest tannins in years. Yet, wherever they’re found, Tofanelli’s wines tend to sell out quickly. This one is no exception.

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This is one of the outright richest and most delectable Napa Valley reds we have offered in a long time. The Tofanelli Family Charbono 2013 will leave lovers of rich, cult Napa reds gobsmacked.  Most notably, produced by the legacy estate Tofanelli.   A name “synonymous with some of the great Zinfandels produced by Larry Turley” according to Parker.  This bottle boasts pedigree for which Robert Parker touted as “maybe the best Charbono I have tasted from California as of late.”

Tofanelli Vineyard

Tofanelli Vineyard grapes provided the secret ingredient for Dave Phinney back when he used to make The Prisoner.  And now he still works with the vineyard when crafting his Orin Swift wines like Papillon. So too with Thomas Rivers Brown, the force behind nine straight 100-point Cabernets and a Food & Wine “Winemaker of the Year,” who can’t stay away from third-generation winemaker Vince Tofanelli’s soils. While deep, dark, and sensuously rich, this is one of our favorite discoveries.  Yet not to mention one of Parker’s favorite Charbonos ever, hailing from the “game-changer” 2013 vintage that The Wine Advocate rated “extraordinary.”

Charbono Wine | A must-have for your wine journey. 

Charbono is a must-have wine to expand your wine experience.  Highly rated,  Hard to find, mostly unknown – yet on par with the finest Syrah or Rhone Blend.  Works with grilled meats, yet vegetarians take notice as this pairs well with vegetarian pasta dishes.

Wonderful with this Vegetable Stuffed Shells topped with Olive Marinara Sauce recipe

Charbono was known as Corbeau de Savoie in its native France, and as Douce Noire in Savoie itself. The latter seems to have caused some confusion regarding the origin of the grape – Douce Noire means “sweet black”, which is a similar etymology to Dolcetto, a grape variety from northwest Italy. The two were originally thought to be the same variety, but this has been disproven by DNA testing.