91pt Wine Spectator Rated Zinfandel - Now On Sale - Just $14.99

St. Francis Zinfandel Old Vines 2018

It's the season of BBQ, and if there's one red wine that pairs perfectly with those ribs slathered in sauce, pulled pork and baked beans, it is Zinfandel! Sometimes Zin gets a bit of a bad reputation as being overly jammy, high in alcohol with too much extraction, but when it's made right, or paired with the right food, this grape really shines. 

St. Francis isn't exaggerating when they talk about their Old Vines. This Zinfandel is made from vines that were planted from 50 years to over 100 years ago! This wine is labeled as Sonoma County, and is a blend of grapes from vineyards located in some of the best spots within the county such as the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. Old vines are revered in the world of wine for producing high quality fruit when tended to correctly. What they lose in quantity of fruit they make up in quality of fruit that showcase highly concentrated aromas and flavors. 

The 2018 vintage weather conditions allowed the Zinfandel grapes to mature on the vines for longer than usual. Harvest began right after Labor Day, which allowed for slow ripening. This translates to deep flavor development, and larger than normal yields of very high quailty fruit. After gentle destemming and cold soaking the grapes for color and flavor extraction, this wine was fermented in separate lots with a secondary malolactic fermentation that occured in French Oak barrels. This secondary fermentation softens out the wine, and gives it a smooth and silky, round mouthfeel. Finally, it was aged in barrels for an additional 16 months before final blending and bottling. 

Regularly priced at $17.99, we are very excited to offer this superb Zinfandel at $14.99 per bottle!

Rated 91 Points by the Wine Spectator & a Smart Buy - "Jammy and bold, with ripe raspberry, toasty spice and smoky fennel accents that finish on a zippy note. Drink now through 2028."

From the Winery - "This bright, lively wine showcases an abundance of berry flavors and aromas. Red raspberry, wild blackberry, and a touch of cranberry are balanced with spicy notes of anise and cinnamon. This medium-bodied Zinfandel lingers for a long, smooth finish."

Pair this Zin with BBQ, Grilled Pork, Bacon, Lamb, anything Teriyaki and other strongly marinated meats. 

Cheers!

Tracy Maxon

Tracy@varmax.com