2023 Peter Franus - Zinfandel Mount Veeder Brandlin Vineyard (750ml)
2023 Peter Franus Zinfandel – Mount Veeder Brandlin Vineyard captures a mountain-grown character from Mount Veeder’s Brandlin Vineyard. Franus, who founded his eponymous winery in 1987, has spent decades sourcing exceptional fruit and crafting it at a shared facility, establishing one of Napa Valley’s most respected reputations for Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since 1991, he has worked closely with Brandlin Vineyard, cultivating a deep understanding of this eastern-facing hillside site perched about 1,200 feet above the valley floor. The old-field blend, interplanting Zinfandel with Mourvèdre, Charbono, and Carignane, is a hallmark of the block, where vines are irrigated only by natural rainfall to concentrate flavor and shape a distinctly mountain-driven profile.
Tasting notes
The wine opens with floral overtones layered over chiseled red and purple fruit, touched by crushed rock, white pepper, mint, and a bright note of orange peel. On the palate, blackberry leads the charge alongside wild sage, supported by firm, well-integrated tannins that reflect the vineyard’s elevated, structured character.
Wine details and terroir
- Grape blend: primarily Zinfandel with Mourvèdre, Charbono, and Carignane
- Vineyard: Brandlin Vineyard, Mount Veeder, eastern-facing hillside
- Elevation: ~1,200 feet above the valley floor
- Aging and style notes: mountain-grown concentration from dry-farmed vines, delivering a structured profile
Food pairings
- Grilled lamb chops
- Braised short ribs
- Peppery hard cheeses