2021 The Pearl Alexander Valley, San Lorenzo

• Style: Full-bodied, concentrated field blend
• Taste: Dark plum, bramble, black pepper, sweet spice
• Food: BBQ, grilled lamb, charred pork, beef & steak
• Occasion: Date night, gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 15–17°C, decant 30 mins, naturally corked

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Dark plum and wild bramble anchor a full-bodied palate, lifted by black pepper and sweet spice. The 2021 delivers extraordinary concentration — a result of drought-stressed vines — with refined tannins and mineral undertones. At 15.5% alcohol, the acidity holds it upright, refusing to slouch. The length runs long and spiced, rewarding patience as the wine unfolds.

The Winery — Seghesio Family Vineyards

Pete Seghesio's family purchased the San Lorenzo vineyard in 1896 with gold-rush earnings; the Pearl block itself traces back to plantings between 1890 and 1894. That century-old field blend — 69% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignan, plus heritage reds including Grand Noir, Alicante, Negrette and Mataro — remains the backbone of this wine. Night-harvested grapes underwent meticulous sorting and five days of cold soak before fermentation to extract colour and tannin precision. One hundred percent barrel ageing in François Frères oak — split evenly between new, one-year, and two-year cooperage — has polished the texture without masking the fruit. Vegan-friendly, naturally corked.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is a wine that demands grilled meat — whether lamb chops, charred pork ribs, or a proper barbecue spread. Stews, braises, roast dinners and game all shine alongside this concentrated blend. The warm Alexander Valley terroir, buffered by evening Pacific air, yields grapes with natural depth that rewards curiosity. Explore our broader selection of Primitivo & Zinfandel to understand how California's signature red shifts across sites and producers, or discover more from the United States to see how diverse this wine country has become. A wine for the table, not the cellar shelf — though its structure rewards patience for years ahead.