2021 Pavette Zinfandel, Lodi AVA & Calberas County, California, USA

While I know some of the people behind the wines in this collection, I am a relative newbie to the charms of Pavette. Funnily enough, I wrote up the 2020 Pinot from this winery in my Finest Fifty list last year and, like this Zin, showed uncommon value for money. I only drink a couple of bottles of Zinfandel each year, and I prefer the lighter, more fragrant wines to the old-school head-bangers. It makes perfect sense that Pavette manages to make both red grapes in a similar fashion. I often think the word ‘charming’ has both a welcoming or cordial meaning and also a slightly smarmy one, so please take it the right way when I say that Pavette is a thoroughly charming wine and one that could convert any Zin-avoider to an ardent acolyte in just a couple of sips. -Matthew Jukes