Double Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle - Jan 2019
Gold Medal - Monterey Wine Competition - Mar 2019
Gold Medal - Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge - April 2019
The 2016 Frank Family Napa Valley Zinfandel has a deep scarlet hue. Opens with aromas of raspberries, vanilla, savory spices and notes of coffee. Medium bodied on the palate with an abundance of fresh fruit and black pepper flavors upon entry. This wine is round, silky, and finishes with generous flavors of ripe blackberries, with a long, layered finish. Always a winner. A perfect companion with grilled foods. Stock up and share with the family.
Pairs with anything from the meat aisle, from barbeque pork ribs, leg of lamb or big, hearty meals.
Zinfandel is often called “California’s Grape,” and despite the fact that it has been genetically traced to Croatia, it certainly seems to show best all over the Golden State. Today’s offering comes from Frank Family Vineyards in Napa Valley, a region certainly more well known for its Cabernet. Napa’s climate is also wonderful for growing Zinfandel. Warm sunny days lead to well ripened Zinfandel grapes that tend to show more of Zin’s jammy side.
VINEYARDS
Frank Family sources from all over Napa Valley for the grapes for their Zinfandel, and this allows them to make a consistently outstanding bottle of wine each and every year. This family run winery is one of the stars of Napa Valley, yet maintains pricing that makes it a reasonable bottle to open for any occasion. In the tradition of the great field blend of California, from the likes of Ridge and others, they blend a little bit of Petite Sirah into the blend, which gives the wine extra weight and texture.
This Napa Valley Zinfandel is cultivated from long term vineyard relationships combining the AVAs of Chiles Valley, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga.
Vintage: 2016
Wine Type: Red Wine
Varietal: Zinfandel
Varietal Composition: 91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 13th - October 5th
Acid: 3.67
Aging: 16 months in 33% new French oak barrels, and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels
Bottling Date: March 2018
Acid: 0.65 g/100ml TA
Alcohol %: 14.8
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe blackberry, and warm cassis with hints of cherry, black olive, currant and a touch of black pepper.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
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