Frog's Leap Zinfandel 2022
Frog's Leap Zinfandel is a truly exceptional and beautifully restrained Californian red wine that completely redefines expectations of this famous grape. Grown on perfectly situated vineyards that benefit from decades of careful dry farming, these forty year old vines are forced to root deeply into the earth for water and vital nutrients. This demanding natural environment yields incredibly concentrated and high quality fruit, allowing the winemaking team to craft a profoundly elegant wine that avoids the heavy, overpowering alcohol levels often associated with lesser sites. The secret to achieving such remarkable balance lies in a highly traditional and careful harvest technique. Alongside the primary Zinfandel grapes, the estate simultaneously picks small amounts of Petite Sirah, Carignan, and Valdique. These grape varieties are all fermented together in the exact same tank, a brilliant method that allows the main fruit to reach perfect ripeness while the supporting grapes provide beautiful colour and complex flavour nuances without raising the overall alcohol content. The wine is then aged for fourteen months in primarily older American oak barrels, gaining its strength through deep character rather than brute force. As the most celebrated and frequently poured wine at the estate since their very beginning, this specific bottle holds a legendary status for its ability to age gracefully in the cellar for decades. While it is incredibly tempting to open immediately to enjoy its youthful energy and vibrant dark fruit flavours, it will richly reward those with the patience to let it rest. When you are ready to pull the cork, pair this nuanced, elegant red with a beautifully roasted crown of duck, a rich wild mushroom tart, or a slow cooked pork belly.
