2018 Zinfandel Bailey Ranch

Neil Collins recently moved his Lone Madrone operation into a fully functional winery on Highway 46 West, right in the heart of the appellation, which will move his work far more into the public eye than when he was located high up in the relatively isolated Adelaida District. This is an eclectic and outstanding set of wines that are all sourced exclusively from dry-farmed vineyards across the region. As is the practice here, various vintages are being released this year. Collins has a sure hand with Rhône varieties, which is no surprise given his winemaking role at Tablas Creek, where he has been since 1998. Collins’s 2019 Mourvèdre and Syrah bottlings are all outstanding; even better, they are exceptionally well-priced. If only there were more of them to go around.