HENDRY 2018 BLOCK 28 ZINFANDEL NAPA VALLEY

Hendry Block 28 is located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. This 4.17-acre block is 160 feet above sea level and has thin, stony soils referred to as “Boomer Series.” Morning fog and strong afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay moderate the maritime climate. The vines were planted in 1998 using St. George roots and grafted with budwood selected from an old-vine Zinfandel vineyard on Mt. Veeder called the Brandlin Ranch. The vines are spaced 6.9' x 5', cordon-trained and spur-pruned. A vertical trellis system supports the cordon and the canopy.
In the early years of Hendry’s winemaking endeavors, George farmed the vines on Mt. Veeder's Brandlin Ranch in exchange for their fruit. The old-vine Zinfandel there was of mysterious lineage, and produced complex, intense, spicy fruit. When the vineyard was sold, George was able to obtain budwood from those vines to graft onto rootstock in the 4.32 acres of Block 28.
In 2018, budbreak in Block 28 occurred April 12th. Bloom was June 1st. Harvest was September 27th, with a yield of 4.37 tons per acre. The bloom-to-harvest period was 118 days. Alcoholic fermentation was completed in approximately one week in closed fermentation tanks. The wine was then pressed and put into barrels for malolactic fermentation. Aging was fifteen months in French oak barrels, approximately 65% of which are new each vintage.
Ruby color. Warm, dark fruit, spice, honeycomb, and caramelized sugar round out the initial aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, with satisfying flavors of baked berries and soft spice, finishing bittersweet. Bright acid, firm tannins. A medium-weight Zinfandel with enough structure for grilled meats, such as flank or skirt steak, eggplant Parmesan, roasts, braises, and pastas with meaty sauces.