The phrase “Old Vine” was coined by Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare in 1986 and so when DCV produces an Old Vine Zinfandel, you can rest assured it is the real deal.
Most of the vines for this bottling are more than 85 years in age and in some cases more than 110 years. Old Vine vineyards are some of the most prized and historic of all plantings in Dry Creek Valley.
We popped open this bottle during a recent tasting with Glorious T and Ace of Bass and discovered a soulful wine. The blend is 92% Zinfandel and 8% Petit Sirah.
Zinfandel is rapidly becoming one of our “go to” wines, especially when Old Vines are involved.
This wine followed another in our tasting that was earthy and much too tannic for our team. When the Old Vine Zinfandel was opened, it was smooth and refreshing – bursting with fruit. It exhibits a lush palate with tannins that are dialed down.
Flavor notes of blackberries and plum are woven with lighter, complex dashes of earth and black pepper.
The grapes come from hillside vineyards that feature gravelly soil. The Dry Creek Old Vine Zin is aged for 18 months in a mixture of French, American and Hungarian oak.
This wine was a hit with us, rapping out a solid ground rule double. It’s a wine you can confidently serve on just about any occasion and the price is quite reasonable at $28.
Rating: 4 of 5 Value: 3 of 5
Full disclosure: We received this bottle as a marketing sample.
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