Peter Franus Brandlin Vineyard Zinfandel 2019
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The Brandlin Vineyard on Mount Veeder is a magnificent, magical setting where you can truly feel the energy and soul that ultimately finds its way into the wine. This perpetual award winner carries aromas and flavors with the unique character of the vineyard, which has vines that were planted in the 1920s. You’ll find everything from flavors of gentle dark fruits to bright berries to crushed stone, lavender, white pepper, clove, ginger, anise, bay and a touch of earthiness. And for all those flavors racing through the wine, it’s still balanced, beautiful and refreshing.
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Vinous
The 2019 Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard screams with Mt. Veeder character. Crushed red berry fruit, hard candy, chalk, mint, white pepper, crushed rocks and dried herbs abound. This mid-weight intensely mineral Zinfandel hits so many high notes. It is far from an obvious wine, though. Instead, readers will find a highly nuanced Zinfandel endowed with tons of mountain character.
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Wine Spectator
Potent and deeply structured, with dark plum and cherry flavors laced with roasted anise and pepper. Builds toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2029.
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More than 30 years of winemaking experience, decisions based on intuition and feelings, a great respect for tradition, and access to some of the best grape sources in Napa Valley give us a head-start in achieving those goals.
We are a very small operation, and nearly all of our artisan wines have a case level production of fewer than 1000 cases. We are grateful that word of mouth has sustained us for all these years.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
Centered at the peak for which it is named, Mount Veeder is Napa’s largest sub-AVA. But even though the entire appellation spreads over 16,000 acres, vineyards cover a mere 1,000. Scattered among Douglas firs and bristlecone pines, Mount Veeder vineyards extend south from the upper elevations of the Mayacamas Mountains—the highest point at 2,400 feet—to the border of the Carneros region. Less than 25 wineries produce wine from Mount Veeder fruit.
Winemaking began early in this appellation. In 1864, Captain Stelham Wing presented the first Mount Veeder wine to the Napa County Fair; it came from today’s Wing Canyon Vineyard. Prohibition, of course, halted winemaking and viticulture wasn’t revitalized until the founding of Mayacamas Vineyards in 1951 and Bernstein Vineyards in 1964.
The Bernstein Vineyards was actually home to the first Petit Verdot in California, planted in 1975. Today most of the Petit Verdot in Napa Valley originates from this vineyard.
Rocky volcanic clay and ancient seabed matter dominate Mount Veeder soils—perfect for Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot enjoy spectacular success. These varieties produce wines rich in brambly blackberry and black cherry fruit with herbal and floral aromatics. Structures are moderate to assertive and wines have great staying power.
Chardonnay from Mount Veeder is lush, full and balanced mineral and fresh citrus flavors.