CLINE FAMILY CELLARS
Since 1982, Fred and Nancy Cline have celebrated their love of the land through production of delicious, accessible and authentic California wines. Today, the couple owns many properties across the state, many of which are farmed to produce and livestock beyond just grapes for wine production, encouraging the sort of biodiversity which is an important tenant with their broader philosophy of sustainable farming and agriculture. Cline produces delicious Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Syrah, however are probably best known for their legendary Cline Zinfandel – a benchmark example of this distinctively Californian varietal wine. Offering consumers a wide range of flavours, styles and grapes from sustainably farmed vineyards, the Cline family continues to deliver wines that exceed expectations at every price level and category within their range.
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2016 “ANCIENT VINES” ZINFANDEL
The Ancient Vines Zinfandel draws primarily from a wide selection of Cline’s oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing Zinfandel blocks in Contra Costa County. Grapes were planted by Italian and Portuguese immigrants in the sandy, phylloxera-resistant soils of Oakley, California more than 100 years ago. These ancient, dry-farmed vineyards consistently produce fruit of stunning concentration. The lots that Cline hand-selected are the result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir, and a unique cooling band of air that flows from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers.
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WINEMAKER’S NOTE
The 2016 Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows spicy, bright strawberry, with 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. 15% ABV. Enjoy now or cellar for 5 to 7 years.
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WITH FOOD
Accompany this wine with slow cooked BBQ pork, chicken mole or spinach mushroom casserole.
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RECIPE IDEAS
Pork and Black Bean Slow Cooker Chili
Chicken tonight? (Again?) Try spicing it up with this to-die-for Mole Negro sauce from Bon Appétit
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ACCOLADES
“Lively and supple, with floral raspberry and fresh pepper aromas and sleekly appealing cherry and licorice flavors that glide lightly along the finish.” –T.F., The Wine Spectator
91 / 100 Points
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“Best Values” Wine Spectator Designation
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#40 in Wine Spectator Top 100: 2018
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Producer: Cline Family Cellars
Wine: “Ancient Vines” Zinfandel
Origin: California, USA
Region: Contra Costa County
Vintage: 2016
LCBO #: 719211
Price: $24.95
Photo by @rawpixel
