Zinfandel

The wine that initially turned us on to Frog’s Leap was their Zinfandel. Coming from dry-farmed 40 year old vineyards, this is a wine straight out of the old school; moderate in alcohol, co-fermented and given little to no new oak, it’s a great advert for just how versatile, interesting, and downright drinkable Zinfandel can be when done well. Small proportions of Carignan, Petite Sirah and Valdiguié (Gros Auxerrois) are harvested and fermented with the Zinfandel, bringing nuance and flavour complexity, while simultaneously moderating the alcohol level. In 2020 it parades beautiful dried flower notes over expressive, joyous fruit, touches of complex spice, cracked herbs and violets, plums and pepper. This has it all going on yet remains wonderfully easy to drink.