The vineyard in which the grapes were grown is named for grower Jerry Fry's mother - Marian Mohr Fry Zimmerman.
It's a big, 100% Zinfandel wine - 15.1% abv big. Only 403 cases were squeezed from the 8.3-acre block, and it retails for $24. As for the "old vine" designation, they were planted in that fine, sandy soil in 1901. That should justify the claim.
Oak aging took place over ten months, and 30% of the barrels were new. Winemaker Stuart Spencer calls it "hedonistic," and that's a fair claim, too.
The wine shows a beautiful medium dark ruby color and offers up a great bundle of aromas ranging from the expected cherry and black cherry fruit with spices like cardamom and allspice to cigar notes to a surprise appearance of an almost Rhône-like bit of funk. The palate really brings forth the spicy side of Zinfandel, mixing with some very dark fruit flavors and cola notes. It puts me in mind of a Pinot Noir, although a very dark and hefty one. While Zin can often be somewhat light and playful, this one means business from first whiff to the lengthy, savory finish.
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