Wine Critics:
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SKUID: S004524
Cline Cellars Contra Costa County Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2022
Vintage Character
2022 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel from Contra Costa County highlights one of California’s most distinctive old-vine sources, drawing on historic own-rooted Zinfandel grown in the deep, sandy soils around Oakley. The 2022 vintage was shaped by a warm growing season, which pushed fruit to generous ripeness while the region’s breezes helped preserve enough freshness to keep the wine balanced. Contra Costa’s sandy, well-drained sites are especially significant because they have long protected many vines from phylloxera, allowing these ancient plantings to deliver the concentration and character that define the bottling.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing
The wine opens with ripe blackberry, black cherry and raspberry compote, layered with cracked pepper, licorice and a touch of vanilla spice. On the palate it is full-bodied and plush, with juicy dark fruit, moderate tannin and a rounded texture that carries into a peppery, subtly earthy finish. This is a generous, crowd-pleasing Zinfandel with old-vine depth rather than excessive heaviness. It pairs especially well with smoked pork ribs, fennel sausage pizza, or Korean-style grilled short ribs.
Winery Background
Cline Family Cellars was founded by Fred Cline in 1982 and became an important name in the movement to champion heritage California vineyards. The estate is particularly associated with preserving historic Contra Costa vines and farming with a strong sustainability focus, including solar power and long-term stewardship of old sites. Fruit for Ancient Vines Zinfandel is selected to emphasize intensity and typicity, while the cellar approach favors clean fermentation and measured oak influence to frame, rather than mask, the fruit. That balance of accessibility, authenticity and old-vine pedigree is what keeps Cline a benchmark for value-driven California Zinfandel.
2022 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel from Contra Costa County highlights one of California’s most distinctive old-vine sources, drawing on historic own-rooted Zinfandel grown in the deep, sandy soils around Oakley. The 2022 vintage was shaped by a warm growing season, which pushed fruit to generous ripeness while the region’s breezes helped preserve enough freshness to keep the wine balanced. Contra Costa’s sandy, well-drained sites are especially significant because they have long protected many vines from phylloxera, allowing these ancient plantings to deliver the concentration and character that define the bottling.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing
The wine opens with ripe blackberry, black cherry and raspberry compote, layered with cracked pepper, licorice and a touch of vanilla spice. On the palate it is full-bodied and plush, with juicy dark fruit, moderate tannin and a rounded texture that carries into a peppery, subtly earthy finish. This is a generous, crowd-pleasing Zinfandel with old-vine depth rather than excessive heaviness. It pairs especially well with smoked pork ribs, fennel sausage pizza, or Korean-style grilled short ribs.
Winery Background
Cline Family Cellars was founded by Fred Cline in 1982 and became an important name in the movement to champion heritage California vineyards. The estate is particularly associated with preserving historic Contra Costa vines and farming with a strong sustainability focus, including solar power and long-term stewardship of old sites. Fruit for Ancient Vines Zinfandel is selected to emphasize intensity and typicity, while the cellar approach favors clean fermentation and measured oak influence to frame, rather than mask, the fruit. That balance of accessibility, authenticity and old-vine pedigree is what keeps Cline a benchmark for value-driven California Zinfandel.
Product details
Wine TypeRed
WineryCline Family Cellars
Grape VarietiesZinfandel
WinemakerTom Gendall
CountryUSA
Expert RatingJS 91
RegionCalifornia
SweetnessDry
Sub-regionContra Costa County
Alcohol Level14.5
Classification (Ranking)—
Format750ml
Prices
Golden Gate Wine
Standard delivery 2-5 working days
Vinobuzz Delivery
HK$242
HK$242
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