93pts Jeb Dunnuck

Made with small amounts of Barbera, for an acid boost and savory spicy notes, and Petite Sirah, for tannic backbone and length, the 2023 Zinfandel Roman is named for a longstanding Marietta employee who has become part of the family. Fermented on the cooler side to gain focus and hold on to delicacy, it has an Old World soul in its austerity and reserve. Black olive, blackcurrant, and dustings of dried herb accent a medium-bodied core of layered concentration that finds its way to a long, elegant finish. Drink now through 2033.

Winemaker's Notes

Named after the winery's Cellarmaster, Roma´n Cisneros, this Estate Zinfandel is from the vineyards in Alexander Valley and the McDowell Valley. Notes of white pepper and sage, enliven the core of pomegranate, cranberry and orange zest in this bright, lively Zinfandel. Breadth and darkness come through as briar patch and tobacco leaf, with flint and wet stone adding complexity. Grippy and clean on the palate, with chalk and almond underpinning the ripe strawberry, this is not your typical Zinfandel from California. Dark chocolate and crushed mint lead into drying/textured tannins for a long finish.

The Román Zinfandel pairs well with pizzas, pastas, grilled foods, and tangy, smoky barbecue sauces.

About the Wine

Named in honor of our cellarmaster, Román Cisneros, who has worked at Marietta for over three decades, this Estate Zinfandel is a blend of fruit from our Angeli estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and our McDowell Valley estate vineyard. This wine captures the bright, juicy character of Zinfandel, hearkening back to an era before dark, thick and oaky styles of Zinfandel took hold. The Virgin of Guadalupe on the label is a nod to Román’s dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice, both for the Bilbro family and his own. It is also a nod to the Mexican-American heritage of Román and many of Marietta’s crew members.

Román Cisneros, Marietta’s first and oldest employee, is undeniably the backbone of wine production at Marietta Cellars. The Román Zinfandel is a salute to the man who built his legacy from the ground up through more physical work than anyone could ever match, and ultimate dedication to his family. 

About the Winery

Starting with only a handful of purchased grapes in 1978, Marietta Cellars has been a standout winery in Sonoma and Mendocino since the very start. Founded by Chris Bilbro, a Sonoma native with winemaking roots dated back three generations, Marietta rose to prominence with its revolutionary Old Vine Red, and has slowly expanded its estate holdings over the past thirty years, evolving into a beacon for high quality, balanced wines with unique character.

Blend: 93% Zinfandel, 4% Barbera, 3% Petite Sirah

Organic