In The Glass: Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel 2012

Dry Creek Vineyard, located in California’s Dry Creek Valley, makes some seriously delicious Zinfandels.  I’ve been sampling them over the past several vintages, and each time I pull the cork on their Old Vine Zinfandel, I’m absolutely impressed.

Much like we had in Oregon, 2012 was a near perfect growing season for Dry Creek Valley.  The winter rains struck the region before the vines awoke.  There were no concerns with frost from spring through to bud break, and summer temperatures were moderate while harvest conditions were dry and outstanding.  Yields were higher than expected and the 2012 vintage will go into the history books as one of the finest on record < all words I’ve spoken about the 2012 growing season in Oregon.  

So, just as our 2012 wines here in Oregon (particularly in the Willamette Valley) were juicier and richer than usual, the Dry Creek Valley wines produced similar results.  And there was a particular elegance displayed in the wines in both areas that was truly notable.  The structure is deep and rich while the texture is silky and lush.  The historic pre-prohibition vines used to produce the 2012 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel are more than 90 years in age – some are even more than 110 years old!  Beautifully aromatic red and black berry characteristics are intense on the nose and palate.  Seamless and complex waves of fruit flow from the entrance to the finish with a mid-palate spiciness that immediately livens up the swirling dark berries.  Highlighted by spice, pepper, cedar and a lovely hint of dusty earth, what impresses me the most is the combination of vibrant acidity and soft tannins that work together to balance the fruits out to perfection.  The suggested retail price on the 2012 Old Vine Zin is just $30 dollars, but it could easily pass for a $60 dollar bottle of wine.  

Check out drycreekvineyard.com