Double Gold & Best of Class - New World Intl. Wine Competition - Feb 2019
Double Gold - Orange County Fair - June 2019
Gold Medal - West Coast Wine Competition - Feb 2019
Gold Medal - Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge - April 2019
Gold Medal - International Women's - June 2019
Gold Medal - Sunset International Wine Competition - June 2019
90 Points - Robert Parker - Oct 2018
Rich opaque ruby in the glass, with matching aromas of crème de cassis, fresh espresso, vanilla bean, and ripe blackberry. Toasty, spicy notes of cedar come through as well. The palate offers flavors of blackberry, raspberry, black cherry, and cocoa powder, and has a soft yet firm structure that beg for grilled meats. The finish is long and expressive, with spiced fruit flavors lingering endlessly. Will drink well for 10-15 years.
VINEYARDS
The S&J Vineyard is made up of 206 acres of land located east of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa’s Capell Valley. Purchased in 2000, it is named for Darryl Frank’s children, Stella and Jeremy, and is planted to 58 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with 9 acres of Petite Sirah and 9 acres of Zinfandel. The soils are fertile, well-drained and clay loam-based, reminiscent of the Rutherford Bench.
The Benjamin Vineyard is located east of Conn Creek Road in the heart of the Rutherford AVA. Purchased by Rich Frank in 2012, the 87-acre parcel was formerly known as Wood Ranch was renamed for Paul Frank’s son, and is planted with 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 8 acres of Petit Verdot, and 2 acres each of Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The vineyard is composed of gravelly loam soil as a result of sediment from the Conn Creek and Napa River which flowed through the region thousands of years ago.
Additional vineyard sources: Round Pond Estate in Rutherford; Delouise, Gaskins, and Shooting Star Vineyards located in Napa Valley.
Winemaker: Todd Graff
Vintage: 2016
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition:
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 20 - October 22, 2016
Aging: 20 months in 33% new and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels.
pH: 3.63
TA: 0.67 g/100ml
Alcohol %: 14.5%
All Wines
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Rich concentrated with black fruit, baked plum, graham cracker and coffee are wrapped in a velvety texture that make your taste buds ask for more. Highly recommended!
97 Points - PLATINUM
Opens with fresh lemon and orange aromas followed by more subtle notes of lemon zest and a hue of marzipan. Balanced acidity carries through. Fresh & Aromatic!
93 Points, Gold Medal
This Zinfandel is quintessential Napa style... bursting with flavor now, yet structured with a long life ahead. In a line-up of top Napa Zinfandel. Always a stand out!
This rich Pinot offers black cherry, dark plum, and sweet tobacco, mingling with undertones of savory spice. A ripe fruit forward core with notes of earthiness and toasty oak and silky soft tannin.
Aromas of tropical fruit, pear, apricot, and lemon meringue. There's fresh apple, too, and a nice toasty nut oak component going here along with the creamy, long finish. Perfect year round.
Double Gold Medal
From the heart of the Napa Valley, well known as a premier climate for growing world class Zinfandel. Warm sunny days lead to well ripened grapes and this Zin's jammy side.
Straw in color, verging on gold with aromas of apple, lemon, butterscotch, and a hint of oak. The palate has green apple, but turns more exotic with pineapple, kiwi, and melon. Rich tropical chardonnay.
Red cherry, sweet spice, cranberry, cola... It's just amazingly easy-drinking. Medium garnet and bursting with aromas of cherry, spice, hints of cranberry and tobacco. Delicious!
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