2018 Zinfandel, "Tres Viejos", Sonoma County • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

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93 points | Wine Spectator
91 points & Gold Medal | Sunset International Wine Competition
90 points | Jeb Dunnuck
Gold Medal | Sonoma County Harvest Fair

Tasting Notes

Blending premium fruit from a trio of premier vineyards found in three distinct regions of Sonoma County, this fan-favorite wins over even the most staunch Zinfandel skeptic year over year. This wine’s black currant and mulberry traits come to life in stark contrast to its earthy and almost smokey undertone. Intricate nuances between mildly astringent green tea and persimmon elements play well with the juicy black plum and pomegranate details that lead into the finish. A soft tannin allows for a delicate salinity to show through in this Zinfandel’s food-savvy acidity.

Vintage Notes

2018 provided an ideal climate allowing time for the grapes to ripen to their optimum flavor structure. The year presented a fairly mild growing season with few heat spikes, inspiring winemakers to push harvest back a few weeks. This longer time on the vine was great for grapes and the mild temperatures kept the fruit from over-ripening. More than an inch of rain fell in early October in many locations, but there was little impact on the quality of the fruit. 2018 could be remembered as one of the longest and most desirable seasons in years, producing exceptional quality grapes throughout Sonoma County.

Vineyard Notes

Translated literally, tres viejos means “three old men.” At St. Francis, we use it to describe some of our exceptionally old, head-trained Zinfandel vines. Each year Winemaker Katie Madigan chooses fruit from three distinct regions across Sonoma County for a special blend in honor of these distinctive vines. The Russian River Valley fruit has bright, herbaceous acidity. The Sonoma Valley fruit is both dark and intensely flavored. The Zinfandel from Alexander Valley is intense and concentrated with wild berry flavors. All vines are over 50 years old and are expressive of their growing regions.

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Katie Madigan ferments each lot independently in order to allow their unique characteristics to shine. She wants this wine to showcase the heritage of Sonoma County Zinfandel. After 18 months of aging in French oak barrels, 40% new, this proprietary blend is finalized, reflecting the best of the vintage.