Cline Cellars ‘Live Oak’ Zinfandel 2019

Concentrated and complex flavours of sweet fresh berries, dried figs and prunes, roasted coffee and liquorice. Well balanced with good acidity which balances the ample body and alcohol. It finishes with good length and smooth, silky tannins. This is a big wine which maintains surprising elegance alongside its obvious charms.

The vineyards run adjacent to this road and consistently produce some of Cline's most complex, concentrated and unique lots of Zinfandel. Cline Cellars has chosen to dry-farm the ancient, head-pruned vines, a practice employed by the Italian and Portuguese immigrants who planted this vineyard well before the turn of the century. The Oakley terroir is characterized by the hot sun, sandy soil, and an unique band of air that flows from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, producing a stunning and concentrated Zinfandel. The grapes from the Live Oak Vineyard were harvested at high natural sugar levels and treated gently in the cellar to emphasize the explosive fruit characteristic of the block. The fruit was almost entirely de-stemmed and lightly crushed, with a large proportion of whole berries remaining in the must. Fermentation occurred at moderate temperatures in stainless steel tanks, using a selection of cultured yeasts. After eight days of gentle "pump-overs" and near dryness, they drained and pressed the wine from its skins. The Live Oak Zinfandel was minimally handled before being put down to barrel. The wine was aged for 15 months in 40% new, medium toasted, French oak barrels.

This Zinfandel pairs particularly well with robust, heavy foods like rare prime rib, roasted pork tenderloin, and chili con carne. Also grilled lamb shank with grilled winter vegetables, pasta bolognaise, and blue cheese.