If you’ve been part of our inner circle for a while, you know we pounce on anything from Andis—like T.J. Watt or Myles Garrett zeroing in on a quarterback. That’s because California Zin doesn’t get any better than this, especially when it comes with a hefty 40% discount.

And with this 2021, Andis upped the ante. BIG TIME. 93 POINTS from Wine Enthusiast (“layers of creamy molten chocolate” mmmmm) and a mere $25?!

This has the right stuff. Hailing from one lone block in the vineyard. Made from incredibly old vines (from 1970s plantings). Grown in high elevation (try 1,500 feet).

Oh, and it happens to be made by a winemaking team with MULTIPLE perfect 100-point scores under their belt. A winemaking team with experience at THE Screaming Eagle, no less.

The impressive 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast is normally a key selling point, BUT… For this Zin? Just a cherry on top of the already irresistible cake.

Back to that cellar team for a minute: these are the biggest names in California wine right now. Philippe Melka leads the way, bringing his high-scoring prowess from Lail, Vineyard 29, Dana Estates, and many others. Melka is joined by Maayan Koschitzky (who cut his teeth at Screaming Eagle) and has his own highly sought-after La Pelle label.

Slap the words “Napa Valley” on this label instead of Sierra Foothills, and the price would be in the “requires a hefty second mortgage” range.

Named for one of Andis’ founders, the Friedlander block sits alone atop Andis’ estate plantings. Dry-farmed and head-trained, the way that Zin used to be done in California’s pioneering wine days. That all translates into tiny grape bunches that pack immense complexity and concentrated flavor.

A ruby-red explosion of black raspberry, dark chocolate, and nutmeg spice, all balanced out by dusty, delicate, delectable tannins. If you ever thought that Zin can’t be classy and beautiful, your world is about to change forever—and for the better.

Andis has become more and more well known for obsessing over quality in the cellar (no surprise given the winemaking team), adding the Goldilocks “juuuust right” amount of shine to bring out the most authentic expression of their impeccable fruit.

The only downside is that Andis is on the cusp of losing its best-kept-secret status (Food & Wine included them in a recent “21 Amazing Zinfandels to Buy Right Now” feature). Here at Wine Spies’ HQ, we haven’t been able to keep anything from Andis in stock for very long. This Reserve Zin will be no exception!

93 Points – Wine Enthusiast “This wine is rich and concentrated with baked red plum, blackberry and cinnamon. Other notes waft through, including boysenberry, black cherry cream soda, Earl Grey tea and cardamom. Layers of creamy molten chocolate, dried herbs and minerality bring it together for a mouthwatering finish. Pair with braised beef cheeks.”