Deep ruby color; blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, plum, raspberry, star anise, fig, chocolate, graphite, oak on the nose and palate.
Dry 90.6 g/L RS); firm, fine-grain tannins (improves with a bit of air); good balancing acidity (3.69 pH; 6.2 g/L TA). Full body; smooth, rich texture. Standard red wine protocol in the winery with 19 months aging in French oak, but the subtlety of the oak influence indicates significant portion was used barrels. The website does not address this.
Grapes harvested from Thirty Eight vineyard, less than a mile from the winery, planted in 1982 in partnership with Robert Mondavi Woodbridge. The 2020 growing season was erratic with challenges from nearby fires and Covid-19. Poor early fruit set meant red production was down but concentration high. The Jahant AVA is located in the center of the grater Lodi AVA and is the smallest of Lodi’s seven AVAs. It has classic Mediterranean climate with Delta fog influence. Vineyard is farmed responsibly with dual certification through The Lodi Rules and California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. 14.5% ABV
The Lange family has farmed in Lodi since the 1870s, first growing wheat and watermelons. In the 1970s they started growing wien grapes for Woodbridge, working directly with Robert Mondavi. Identical twins Randy and Bradford Lange built a winery to make wine from their vineyards in 2005. The twins and their families consider themselves “guardians” over more than 67 vineyards in four of Lodi’s distinct sub-appellations and the Clarksburg appellation. The family is passionate about sustainability, both in the vineyard and maintaining their family-focus on passing their land legacy generation to generation. They received the Leopold Conservation Award in 2006, BRIT’s International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing in 2014, and were named California Association of Winegrape Growers Grower of the Year in 2017.
The family farm is in Jahant, north of Woodbridge. They have worked to restore natural habitats, including an on-site lake that is home to a wealth of birds, frogs, reptiles, and other wildlife. Today, the twin’s children run the operation. Not only have generations of Langes worked the land, there are third generations of families who have worked with the Lange twins and their children. They note: “We are generational. We do think generationally. We farm generationally. When my grandchildren are here, we go on walks. I think of my great-grandchildren and what they will do.”
LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards Thirty Eight Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Jahant AVA, Lodi 2020 is nicely done cab with pleasing mix of concentrated fruit, fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity, and significant but not overdone oak. Made by German-American family that has farmed in Lodi since the 1870s. While sold in some stores and online, direct contact with the winery is surest way to obtain this wine. $32-38
Pairing—New York strip steak, rib eye; grilled lamb chops; grilled burgers, gourmet burgers; barbecue—slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork. Grilled portobello mushrooms, mushroom risotto. Cheese–Aged cheddar (classic), aged gouda, aged sheep’s milk—ossau-irtay; smoked gouda.
