Winemaker Notes
Trees have always been an important part of Dickerson vineyard. The eucalyptus at the north end of the property imparts an inarguable influence on the wine's flavor, but the tree that meant the most to Bill Dickerson was a 100 year-old oak. The ancient sentinel was a monument to the history of the spot and he had the image emblazoned on his own wine label. When he bought the vineyard in 1971, the old, head-pruned varieties were hardly in demand, but the elegant, focused Zinfandel made from them was so distinctive that Bill never considered replanting.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Of the ten acres at Dickerson Vineyard, on the north side of Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena, four were planted in 1930; the balance was planted in 1979 and ’85. For a wine grown in the center of the valley, this sustains a notably cool, shady feel, the ripeness expressed in a bright beam of red fruit. It lasts with sweet tannins, their satisfying richness touched by scents of cherry blossoms.
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Wine Spectator
A refined Zinfandel, balanced and well-structured, with precise cherry, white pepper and dill accents that linger elegantly. Drink now through 2028.
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.