Winemaker Notes
This Zinfandel is a medium-deep ruby color with aromas of pie cherries, jam, and soft, spicy oak. Medium-bodied, with both fruity and savory elements, it has elegance and balance—this is not a sweet, jammy Zinfandel. It has pleasantly fine-textured tannins and is versatile with food, walking the tightrope between fruity and savory. It pairs well with simple grilled lamb chops, lean steaks, oven-roasted tomato bruschetta with goat cheese, aged sheep or goat's milk cheeses, and pasta with a braised meat ragu.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Tightly wound at the core but polished on the palate, with rich and detailed blackberry, currant, bittersweet chocolate and espresso flavors that gather tension and richness toward broad-shouldered tannins. Best from 2026 through 2034.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Both of these blocks are planted to Clone 2, a virus-free clone that came to FPS from Lodi. Block 7 was planted in 1975 and Block 22 in 1995. The 2022 Zinfandel Blocks 7 & 22 features floral, tea-like and even orange-like aromas, plus bold berry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, silky-textured and open, with only the slightest hint of raisined fruit and a hint of French oak (one-third new barrels for 15 months). Finishing long and velvety, it's a fine Zin for drinking young, at a reasonable price.
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.