2020 Scott Harvey - Zinfandel Amador County Old Vines (750ml)

Scott Harvey is considered a pioneer of Amador County winemaking, having apprenticed at Montevina before studying winemaking in Germany and returning to California as head winemaker at Story Winery. In 2004 he and his wife, Jana, started their own label, building on decades of relationships with the region's top growers. The winery centers its work on Zinfandel, Barbera, and Syrah from Amador, with smaller bottlings from Napa, Lake County, and Mendocino.

This bottling draws on old, dry-farmed Zinfandel vines planted around the Shenandoah Valley and Fiddletown, where decomposed granite and reddish volcanic soils sit at elevations up to 2,000 feet. That mountain setting brings warm days and cool nights, giving the grapes better acid and tannin structure than lower-elevation fruit typically achieves. Low natural yields from the old vines concentrate flavor, and the wine is crafted to stay balanced and food-friendly rather than overripe.

Aromas of cedar, anise, and eucalyptus lead into fresh black plum, black cherry, and blackberry fruit. Mouthcoating tannins and a touch of extra warmth from the alcohol give the wine real weight, though it stays well balanced and drinks nicely already. Serve it with grilled ribeye, wild boar sausage, or a hard cheese board.