2006 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel

Here's a bottle of the 2006 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel from Contra Costa and Lodi, California. $15, 14.5% abv. Fresh baked bread on the nose, touch of dried fruit, reminiscent of christstolle, which I made from scratch years ago. (Others may wish to think of a slice of raisin bread right out of the toaster.) Full bodied on the beginning with a touch of fruit, firm acidity, drying tannins. A surprisingly delightful wine that pleases the nose and palate.

Some may quibble about the various definitions of vines: Old, Ancient, Century, Senior, Antiquated, Depeche Mode, etc. I'm not going to get involved in that, but the Cline family has access to vines that have been producing fruit for more than 100 years.