2021 Klinker Brick - Zinfandel Lodi Old Vines (750ml)

Klinker Brick is a family run winery led by Steve and Lori Felten, whose family has farmed Zinfandel in the Mokelumne River appellation of Lodi for generations. The family manages fifteen individual old vine blocks ranging from forty to one hundred twenty years old, fruit they once sold in bulk to well known Napa and Sonoma producers before releasing their own first vintage in 2000. This bottling remains the winery's flagship wine, marking two decades of continuous production from some of Lodi's most historic vineyard sites.

The vines are planted in sandy loam soils and benefit from the region's distinctive Delta breezes, cool air pulled inland from the San Francisco Bay that moderates daytime heat and helps preserve acidity in the fruit. Century old vines naturally produce extremely low yields, concentrating flavor and structure into smaller berries. The wine undergoes barrel fermentation, a technique that adds extra backbone to Zinfandel's naturally thin skins and delicate structure.

This vintage offers rich, concentrated aromas of dark berries, coffee, and baking spice, with flavors of black currant, huckleberry, and coriander rounding out the palate. A dry, grippy finish gives it real structure alongside its bold fruit character. It pairs wonderfully with St. Louis style ribs, grilled sausages, or a hearty beef stew.