St. Francis Reserve Zinfandel 2016
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Blend: 85% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 2% Syrah
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Jeb Dunnuck
Lastly, the 2016 Zinfandel Reserve checks in as 85% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, and 2% Syrah that spent a full 20 months in 60% new French oak. Tons of black fruits, scorched earth, singed cedar, and chocolate notes emerge from this effort, and it's sweetly fruited, medium to full-bodied, and packs plenty of fruit while staying balanced. There's some obvious oak here yet it plays well with the spicy Zinfandel fruit and this certainly offers pleasure. This was a great vintage for Zinfandel, and you see the quality here.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Zinfandel Reserve Dry Creek Valley has a deep ruby-purple color. The nose offers aromas of blueberries, boysenberry, raspberries and cherries with touches of apricot, cocoa, star anise and a spicy current. The medium to full-bodied palate offers loads of ripe fruits with firm, chewy tannins, juicy acidity and a long, sweet baking spice-laced finish. 640 cases were made.
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For more than four decades, the wines of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards have reflected the finest mountain and valley vineyards in Sonoma County. Our founder, Joe Martin, fell in love with Sonoma Valley and established St. Francis Vineyard in 1971, planting 22 acres of Chardonnay and the first 60 acres of Merlot in Sonoma Valley. After achieving great success as a grower, Joe opened his own winery in 1979 with his business partner Lloyd Canton.
Today, a new generation of winemakers, Katie Madigan and Chris Louton, continues our long tradition of luscious, elegant, fruit-driven wines from Sonoma County grapes. We farm more than 400 acres of Certified Sustainable estate vineyards in Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley, each with varying compositions of loam, clay and volcanic soils. We also nurture long-term relationships with top Sonoma County grape growers, giving the Winery access to some of the region's most coveted old vines Zinfandel and other varietals from acclaimed vineyards.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.