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CLINE CELLARS
Cline Cellars is a family wine company based in the Carneros Valley in Sonoma County, California. Here Fred and Nancy Cline oversee a 350 acre ranch and tasting room housed in the original circa 1853 farmhouse which was lovingly and painstakingly restored in the early 1990s. While much of the California wine trade has gravitated towards producing ubiquitous varietal wines, the Cline family has driven the market for Rhone varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvedre as well as Zinfandel, highlighting the viticultural heritage of the terroirs they farm through the acquisition and protection of various very old vines plots.
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2015 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL
Cline Zinfandel is grown in select plots in Lodi, and is produced in a style emphasizing elegance, harmonious structure and early drinkability. Grapes are harvested, destemmed and lightly crushed to avoid harsh tannins, and then aged in 1/3 new French oak barrels – usually medium toast – in an effort to balance toasty vanilla notes while preserving bright, vibrant and fresh fruit flavours and aromas. It drinks beautifully on release, and can be enjoyed for 3-5 years from vintage date.
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WITH FOOD
Zinfandel is big, rich, spicy and bold red wine – exactly the kind of stuff you want as BBQ season arrives. And this dynamite example from the Cline family in California delivers flavour and value that will rock your world. Smoky BBQ’s ribs, pepper steaks, rack of lamb, pork chops or burgers – regardless of what you’re firing up the grill to enjoy tonight, keep in mind that Meat + BBQ = Cline Zinfandel time!
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RECIPE IDEAS
Bahn-Mi Style Duck Confit Sliders
Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers w/ Grilled Onions & Cremini Mushrooms
Smoky Beer-Brined Pork Chops w/ Sage Molasses Glaze
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EXPERT OPINION
“Love this Californian Zinfandel! Smells and tastes sweet in a juicy ripe fruit way, not cloying … it is a dry wine. The grapes were picked super ripe for this supple, juicy red. I can’t image a better wine for Hawaiian pizza.” –NatalieMacLean.com
89 / 100 Points
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Producer: Cline Family Cellars
Wine: Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi
Origin: California, U.S.A.
Vintage: 2015
LCBO #: 489278
Price: $17.10