Cline Contra Costa Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2005

Tread lightly and carry a big Zin. The very wise Fred Cline, grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi (the famous pump and spa company founder), wasn't born yesterday. In fact, Cline recently spearheaded the move to become the fourth largest generator of solar power amongst wineries in California, now producing more than 400 kilowatts of power.

That's enough to power Cline's Sonoma County winery's peak requirements and sell power back during sub-peak hours.  Cline also employs compost tea feeding and other organic techniques in their vineyards, plus they import volcanic rock from Arizona to amend the minerality of their soils, they plant winter cover crops, and they even employ sheep to eat broadleaf weeds.

Cline's Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2005 is mostly Zinfandel, with many of the vines planted 100 years ago by Portuguese and Italian immigrants. There is a bit of Carignane and Alicante Bouschet added in giving the mix an ancient field blend sensibility.  The lots were extracted in stainless steel tanks and then aged 9 months in 3/10 new American oak. A small amount of residual sugar was allowed in the final cuvee.

The geographical source of fruit was the Oakley area, between Lodi and Oakland just south of Rio Vista (pictured above and below), in the Sacramento River delta area near where the San Joaquin River meets up, near the point where Contra Costa County meets Sacramento and Solano Counties.  There the days are warm and dry and nights are cool providing grapes with ripeness and acidity.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep purple raspberry, translucent. Aromas: Blackberry, raspberry with background notes of vanilla, caramelized oak, coffee and earth. Muscular with traces of front-palate sweetness, fine young tannins and moderate acidity, the pepper-tinged black raspy fruit displays well without going overboard and the finish reverberates the wisdom of old vines.

Excellent value ($15). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 14.5%

Comments

[Dr. Debs]

Thanks for this Jerry. It's in my wine rack. Nice to know I've got a treat in store!

[Grant Gallagher]

Thanks for this. I have some of the 2003 and it is very good - not overly showy, but complete and satisfying in an understated way. On the basis if this I bought 2 cases of the '04. It was awful and I returned it. So now I have a dilemma about the '05. Your review looks hopeful, s I'll drink it tonight and decide! By coincidence I came across your site whle looking for a review of the other unknown zin I bought, the farleigh that is on your opening page. Hopeful for that, too. Great site, concratulations.

[Paul K.]

Thanks for your info and opinions on the Cline Ancient Vines Zin. I bought a case, and then another, a couple of years ago of 2003 Cline Ancient Vines Zin [California] and really liked it. I still have a few bottles. Then I got a bottle of the 2005 [Contra Costa] at a local steak house and was really impressed with it. It had a touch of "sweetness" on the finish. I went right out and bought a case of it for about $14 a bottle here in Kansas. I think it is one of the best values that I have.