2022 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

2022 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSAZinfandel

Florence

Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2022
Sonoma County

2022 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

High above the fog line, Rockpile vines live in a state of constant exposure, where elevation and wind shape the season and strip away excess. The 2022 Florence Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel captures that environment, translating altitude into focus and rugged terrain into precision. It is Zinfandel elevated in both expression and intent.

At this elevation, the Florence Vineyard rises above the densest valley fog while remaining shaped by strong, cooling winds. These conditions extend the growing season, thicken skins, and concentrate flavor without sacrificing freshness. In 2022, that balance yielded fruit of remarkable intensity and definition, carrying the vineyard’s natural rigor directly into the wine.

What ultimately defines the vintage is its energy. Concentrated fruit moves in step with lift and structure, creating a Zinfandel that feels dynamic rather than dense. Each sip bears the imprint of wind and altitude, delivering power with control and a finish that remains vivid, focused, and assured.

Florence
Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2022
Sonoma County
Retails at: $60

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“Deep, dark and very spicy, this black-fruited Zin displays aromas of blackberry and plum on the nose. These give way to flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate and licorice that wash across the palate with powerful, ageworthy tannins. Lay this down for a few years, then enjoy with barbecued pork ribs.”

94 Points, Cellar Selection

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSAZinfandel

Florence

Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2021
Sonoma County

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

Few places challenge a vine like Rockpile. Perched on a ridge above Lake Sonoma, where the wind never rests and the soil fractures like ancient bone, the Florence Vineyard defines what it means for a vine to struggle and to triumph. From this unforgiving terrain emerges the 2021 Florence Vineyard Reserve Rockpile Zinfandel, a wine that channels its hardship into strength. The result is a Zinfandel that captures both the wildness of altitude and the refinement of mastery.

Long before Rockpile was recognized as an appellation, Jack Florence Jr. saw its promise. He carved his vineyard into the rocky hillsides with the conviction that hardship breeds distinction. Decades later, his 2021 Florence Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel affirms that vision: a wine of intensity and grace, rooted in heritage cuttings from the storied St. Peter’s Church clone and elevated by the restless energy of the mountain.

Only 235 cases were produced, each bottle an unfiltered glimpse into one of Sonoma’s most demanding landscapes. The 2021 vintage speaks in layers of blackberry, cracked pepper, and wild herbs framed by minerality and tension. It’s a wine that feels alive, pulsing with the elevation that shaped it, the craftsmanship that guided it, and the patience that allowed it to find its voice.

Florence
Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2021
Sonoma County
Retails at: $60

Your Price: Insider Club Members Only

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Lush, almost creamy in texture, this complex, high powered and deeply fruity wine boasts distinctive black pepper and singed sage flavors atop its deep black cherries and blackberries. Moderate to full tannins give it a good backbone for pairing with big proteins. Best from 2025–2035.”

94 Points

2018 Paradise Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select Sonoma County

2018 Paradise Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select Sonoma County

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

PARADISE RIDGE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
BARREL SELECT 2018
ROCKPILE, SONOMA COUNTY

2018 Paradise Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select Sonoma County
Intensely focused on sustainable viticulture, Paradise Ridge Winery’s team takes it to the nth degree by calling on sheep for weed abatement and natural fertilization. They meticulously care for each vine using strategic canopy management, cover crops, and a focus on biodiversity, promoting healthy vineyards. This considerable commitment flows through every aspect of wine production when seasoned Sonoma County winemaker Dan Barwick guides the grapes from vine to bottle, crafting elegant, age-worthy wines with a site-specific identity.
 
Their Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon arose from 7 unique blocks from sustainably farmed Rockpile and Branham Vineyards in the northwest corner of Sonoma County inside the Rockpile AVA. It’s called Rockpile for its rocky soils consisting of sandstone and shale at 2,000 feet above sea level, producing concentrated wines with refreshing acidity. The 2018 vintage saw a mild summer without significant heat spells that continued into the autumn, allowing the tannins to achieve ideal ripeness and full flavor evolution for a perfectly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
PARADISE RIDGE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
BARREL SELECT 2018
ROCKPILE, SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“The Paradise Ridge Barrel Select Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 begins with a deep, sultry nose of wild red and black berries, bramble, green herbs, espresso grounds, and kitchen spices. It continues on the palate with beautifully focused, concentrated red currants, mountain blackberries, cocoa powder, and crushed stone. Mouth-quenching acidity and crunchy tannins support the bright, juicy fruit. The penetrating flavors and long finish stay with you on the palate for nearly a minute.”
93+ Points