2020 St Francis, Old Vines Zinfandel Sonoma

ABOUT THE WINE
Established in 1971 by Joe Founder, St. Francis has reflected the finest mountain and valley vineyards in and around Sonoma County for over 50 years.
Today, the vineyards of St. Francis are farmed per Certified Sustainable standards. Their estate vineyards present a stunning diversity as they are scattered around Sonoma Valley and the famous Russian River Valley, each with diverse compositions of limestone, loam, clay and black & red volcanic soils. They also buy fruit from some of the oldest vineyards in the region, farming beautifully gnarly old vine Zinfandel, by nurturing their long-standing relationships for decades.

TASTING NOTES
Fruit for Zinfandel is sourced from some of the oldest dry-farmed vineyards in Sonoma, some of which are centenaries. This results in balanced acidity and very deep flavour concentration. A truly vibrant wine with many layers of decadent ripe fruit notes of blackberry, bramble, blueberry and liquorice as well as dried prunes and the warming spices of cinnamon and clove. Aged for 16 months in 100% new French Oak. 

FOOD PAIRING
Barbecued T-Bone or Ribeye steak or mild lentil dhal.

FRIARWOOD SAYS
St. Francis’ gorgeous mission-style estate and Tasting Room building is in the heart of the valley surrounded by estate-owned vineyards. Their bell tower, pictured on their labels houses a 1,000-pound bronze bell cast by the Marinelli Foundry in Italy. It chimes every hour and can be heard throughout the valley.