Peter Franus Brandlin Vineyard Zinfandel 2018
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Wine
Spectator -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
Youthful dark ruby with complex aromas of bramble fruits, dried herb, rose petal, anise, allspice and vanilla. Black cherry flavors are bright, forward, and expansive with a refreshing lift and structure atypical for most Zinfandels. The wine finishes with just the right amount of grip to say the wine is serious.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Well-structured yet rich, with zesty fruit, opening to plump blackberry, smoky sage, clove and other spices. Drink now
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming all from Mt. Veeder and a blend of 90% Zinfandel, and the rest Mourvèdre, Charbono, and Carignan, the 2018 Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard has lots of black and blue fruits as well as classic Zinfandel candied orange, violet, and incense-like aromas and flavors. Nicely textured, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced, drink this charming red over the coming 4-6 years.
Other Vintages
2019- Vinous
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Enthusiast -
James
Suckling
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James
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James
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More than 30 years of winemaking experience, decisions based on intuition and feelings, a great respect for tradition, and access to some of the best grape sources in Napa Valley give us a head-start in achieving those goals.
We are a very small operation, and nearly all of our artisan wines have a case level production of fewer than 1000 cases. We are grateful that word of mouth has sustained us for all these years.
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.
Centered at the peak for which it is named, Mount Veeder is Napa’s largest sub-AVA. But even though the entire appellation spreads over 16,000 acres, vineyards cover a mere 1,000. Scattered among Douglas firs and bristlecone pines, Mount Veeder vineyards extend south from the upper elevations of the Mayacamas Mountains—the highest point at 2,400 feet—to the border of the Carneros region. Less than 25 wineries produce wine from Mount Veeder fruit.
Winemaking began early in this appellation. In 1864, Captain Stelham Wing presented the first Mount Veeder wine to the Napa County Fair; it came from today’s Wing Canyon Vineyard. Prohibition, of course, halted winemaking and viticulture wasn’t revitalized until the founding of Mayacamas Vineyards in 1951 and Bernstein Vineyards in 1964.
The Bernstein Vineyards was actually home to the first Petit Verdot in California, planted in 1975. Today most of the Petit Verdot in Napa Valley originates from this vineyard.
Rocky volcanic clay and ancient seabed matter dominate Mount Veeder soils—perfect for Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot enjoy spectacular success. These varieties produce wines rich in brambly blackberry and black cherry fruit with herbal and floral aromatics. Structures are moderate to assertive and wines have great staying power.
Chardonnay from Mount Veeder is lush, full and balanced mineral and fresh citrus flavors.