Pavette Zinfandel 2021

Forget the over-extracted, syrupy Zinfandels of yesteryear that lean more toward dessert than dinner. The folks at Pavette are doing something refreshingly different in Lodi, and we are here for it. This is Zinfandel with its sleeves rolled up—unpretentious, vibrant, and incredibly balanced.

By co-fermenting the Zinfandel and Petite Sirah with whole berries, Pavette captures a bright, bouncy fruit profile that keeps the wine feeling energetic. A small addition of barrel-fermented Cabernet Sauvignon is blended in later, adding just enough structural backbone and a touch of dark-fruited gravity to keep things interesting.

It’s a charming red in the truest sense—approachable enough for a casual Tuesday night pizza, yet complex enough to hold its own against a grilled ribeye or a smoky barbecue spread. If you’ve been avoiding Zin because you find it too heavy, this bottle is your invitation back into the fold.