2019 Old Vines Zinfandel, Anacleto Vineyard, Russian River Valley • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

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2019

Old Vines, Zinfandel

Anacleto Vineyard

Russian River Valley

Tasting Notes

This is a beautiful wine with a complex and inviting nose. Herbaceous notes are complemented by ripe red and black fruits, such as raspberry, blackberry, and cherry. A delicate dusting of minerality adds complexity and interest to the wine’s refreshing berry bouquet.

Vintage Notes

We began our 2019 harvest before dawn on August 30. After a growing season that started in winter with record rainfall, the year ended with warm, even temperatures throughout summer. With few spikes in heat over the period, our vineyards had optimal conditions to develop full-flavored fruit with remarkable color and balanced acidity. Spring rains ended in time for good fruit set. The temperate summer allowed for long hang times and consistent, even ripening. We picked the majority of our fruit in September and the weather continued to cooperate. Warm breezy days, but fortunately no rain took place in October and the last of the grapes were harvested before the end of the month.

Vineyard Notes

This small production wine starts with grapes just a short walk south of Healdsburg, near the banks of the Russian River. This select 2-acre block of heritage Zinfandel vines consisting of two main blocks, a 50-year old ‘Trellised’ block, and a 100-year old ‘Head-Pruned’ block that produces small yields of exceptional fruit bursting with ripe, concentrated flavor. The blend of this 2019 vintage is made up of 64% from the trellised block, and 36% from the older head-pruned block.

Winemaker Notes

All grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted and undergo a five-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine is pumped into French oak barrels, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation during its elevage before bottling.