Old Vine Zinfandel

Include a bottle in your wine gift basket

Klinker Brick Winery

Zinfandel 2008

Old Vine 750ml

12 pack

The average age of commercial vines is about 25 years, but the old vines of California are a different breed of survivors. They have not only been around for more than a half a century, but also survived the prohibition and constantly shifting consumer moods.

There is no official definition of “Old vine”. Generally, a ten year old vine is considered young, ten to fifty year old vine is considered middle age and fifty to eighty year old vine is considered old. If the vine is older than eighty years old, it’s said to be ancient.

Most of the vines that are used for making old vine Zinfandel are pre-prohibition. It is believed that Sonoma County has the largest population of old vines, many in the Dry Creek and Russian River Valley. The soil and climate are very suitable since it’s neither very cold nor too hot in these areas.

What makes the best Zinfandel
The maturity of the fruit is the most important aspect in producing old vine zins. The grower inspects the grapes and tastes the juices in order to judge their tanning, softness and maturity. If the taste is bright and warm, they are good to go. Otherwise they can wait. Here, another factor is how chewable the seed is. The character should be juicy and rosy.

The wines produced in these areas are intense and concentrated. Old vines have the added advantage of experience of age. The fruit is ripened more evenly due to aging. This does not mean that the old vine is better than any other zinfandel produced in the area. It is only different. The characteristics of older vines are that they are spicier and combined with mature raspberry fruit. Generally, these wines carry the whole lifecycle of the Zinfandel within them.

It is said that Zinfandel should be enjoyed whenever there is an opportunity and they make a great wine gift. It means that there is no specified time or place where you should enjoy an old vine Zinfandel and can accompany you in a picnic or an afternoon outing when you are visiting the tasting rooms.

Basic Wine Information
What you need to know about the Old Vine Zinfandel:
According to the wine ratings of the California State Fair Wine competition and other food and wine reviewers like Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate here are some well respected Zinfandel producers with old vines:

• Bogle Winery
• Gnarly Head Cellars
• Klinker Brick Winery
• Ravenswood Sonoma County
• Seghesio Family Vineyards
• Cline Family Cellars
• Sobon Estate label

White Zinfandel Wine

Gnarly Head Zinfandel

Sonoma Zinfandel

Edmeades Zinfandel

Zinfandel Wine

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