Winemaker Notes
Crafted in a full bodied and elegant style, this Zinfandel has a deep, intense color along with spicy aromas of cherry galette, clove, ground espresso bean, and a touch of lavender that precede mouth-filling flavors of dark chocolate, wild blackberry, and dried cranberry. Rich and velvety in texture, this is an opulent Zin with a long finish.
Excellent with goat cheese, Asian style seafood, and pork.
Blend: 83% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 3% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Wild and ripe black raspberry aromas, with briary sweet anise and white pepper flavors and toasty vanilla, finishing with zesty tannins.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 St. Francis Reserve Zinfandel packs a wallop and rewards the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up with black fruit and oak in its aromas and flavors. Pair it with roast, suckling pig. (Tasted: January 30, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Zinfandel Reserve Dry Creek Valley opens with aromas of loamy earth, tar and sweet spices over a core of red and black berry preserves. Medium-bodied, the palate features bright fruits in a grainy frame and a fresh finish.
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.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.