Reviews & Ratings

2017 Cline Cellars Zinfandel "Ancient Vines"

Winery: Cline Cellars

Vintage: 2017

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Ancient Vines"

Wine Category: Zinfandel

Grape blend: 97% Zinfandel & 3% Carignane

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Contra Costa County

State or country: CA

Price: $20

Cases produced: 88,000

KWG Score: 88.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good (89)

Review date: July 28, 2019

Wine Review: This dark red colored Zinfandel from Cline opens with a red apple peel bouquet with a hint of cinnamon. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and juicy. The flavor profile is a cinnamon and red plum blend with hints of black raspberry, cranberry, oak, black pepper and black tea. The finish is dry and its flavors and mild tannins are nicely prolonged. This is a very good weekday Zin that benefits from some aeration. Open it about 30 minutes early and pair it with dry-rubbed ribs off the grill. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Our 2017 Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows spicy, bright strawberry, coffee and chocolate characters. Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this a mouth-coating rich vintage. Aging on new and used oak has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Enjoy now or cellar for 5 to 7 years. Accompany this Zin with slow cooked BBQ pork, chicken mole or spinach mushroom casserole.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Cline 2017 Ancient Vines Zinfandel.