Winemaker Notes
Baroque in the best sense, this Zinfandel has a dense mix of herbaceous and fruit forward aromatics of berry preserve, dried orange peel and candied mandarin. On the palate, a complexity of dark fruit, licorice, berry, mint, oregano and applewood smoked bacon abound. The long finish is tied together beautifully by fresh acidity and well-integrated oak notes.
This old vine Zinfandel is a poet of a wine. Pair it with a rack of lamb or steak sandwiches.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel has always been my favorite wine from the winery, and the 2016 vintage is an excellent effort. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows authentic aromas and flavors of dried berries and savory spices. Enjoy it with a well-seasoned, oven-roasted Porchetta. (Tasted: March 23, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.