Birichino St Georges Zinfandel 2020

Birichino St Georges Zinfandel is a Zinfandel from Besson's Home Ranch, on ungrafted vines dating to 1922.

Same ground as the Pinot Noir off this site: granite and sandy loam, Besson's home block, planted by an Italian bootlegger if the story holds. Morning and afternoon sun with cool marine nights lets the fruit develop flavour without pushing alcohol, and yields from these old own-rooted vines average about a tonne to the acre. Locke and Krause usually pick between 13 and 13.5 per cent to keep the grape's finer side, but in 2020 full ripeness did not arrive until 14.5, so this is a bigger wine than they normally make. Ten per cent stems went into the ferment. Even so, it sits a long way from Zinfandel's muscular mainstream.

Plump red berry, spice and a bitter-herb Fernet edge, with saline depth and a grip that reminds you the Pacific is twenty kilometres west. It improves in the glass, so open it early. Serve at 16 degrees with barbecued pork or grilled lamb.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.