Winemaker Notes
Say hello to your new friend, Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel: big berry flavors, a hefty dusting of spice and zesty pepper are this Zin’s calling cards—and it’s destined to be a welcome guest at your backyard barbecue, pizza night or anytime your squad’s in town.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A typical, utterly drinkable Lodi style full of stewed red cherries, brambles and mildly scented cream. It is plummy and ripe with a rich fruitcake character mixed with vanilla spice. Drinking Window 2017 - 2021
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Wine Enthusiast
This beautiful wine has aromas as ripe as dried figs, flavors as deep as blackberries falling off the vine, and a welcoming, broad texture that begs for another sip. While full bodied, it's easy to relax into.
Best Buy -
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
One of the best red wine values in the marketplace, the 2014 Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel offers loads of ripe fruit in the aroma and on the palate. The wine's layered texture makes it a great wine for casual enjoyment. Serve now with pork ribs. (Tasted: February 2, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!