Blackberry and cherry flavors with spice and oak. This wine is rich and juicy on the palate.
Our FLINCH wines were created to showcase small lots of truly exceptional fruit crafted into wines abundant in FLavor, INtensity, and CHaracter.
The 2019 growing season began with heavy rains which enriched the soil with an abundance of nutrients. Fruit set on course during the spring, just in time for a brief heat spike in June and the remaining warm, summer weather. Harvest began in mid-August where only the finest fruit was harvested.
This wine’s rich aromatics make it an ideal accompaniment to grilled lamb, a juicy burger, or a spicy tri-tip.
Specs
Vintage: 2019
Varietal: Zinfandel
Appellation: Sonoma County
Aging: Aged in a combination of French and American Oak
Aging Potential: 4-6 years
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 392 cases
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x 2019 FLINCH Reserve Zinfandel, Sonoma County Case:
Three Generations Committed to 100% Sustainable Viticulture and the Crafting of Fine Wines.
Rutherford Wine Company is family-owned and managed with a portfolio of wines representing the rich diversity of California’s outstanding appellations. Today, the portfolio includes Rutherford Ranch Winery (Napa Valley), Round Hill, Scott Family Estate (Arroyo Seco), Lander-Jenkins Vineyards, Predator (Lodi), Rhiannon, Silver Buckle, and extensive Private Label offerings.
Uncompromising and ecologically far-sighted viticulture is an ethical imperative for us. Though more labor intensive than prevalent commercial winegrowing methods, our efforts are rewarded with fruit rich in flavor and character. And great fruit is a prerequisite for great wine.
The company is based at Rutherford Ranch Winery, in Napa Valley’s Rutherford District - one of the region’s most renowned sub-appellations. The winery and estate vineyards are certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The critically acclaimed wines have been characterized as one of Napa’s great values by noted wine writer Robert Parker.
The winery received the ‘Family Owned Winery of the Year’ Award at the 2012 New York International Wine Competition. Rutherford Ranch Winery was named ‘Napa Winery of the Year’ at the 2013 NYIWC.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Did ChatGPT write this? Or a first year MBA grad. Yeesh.
“Uncompromising and ecologically far-sighted viticulture is an ethical imperative for us. Though more labor intensive than prevalent commercial winegrowing methods, our efforts are rewarded with fruit rich in flavor and character. And great fruit is a prerequisite for great wine.”
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2019 FLINCH Reserve Zinfandel - $20 = 9.08%
Had a crazy day around here with some flooding due to our contractors…ugh (1st world problem)
But alas, this wine was timed perfectly for our disaster laden palates.
pop and pour… oh my this is light - a lavender hue at edges with obvious darkening at center - its VERY light bodied - perhaps the most light bodied zin we’ve ever encountered - not a bad thing, but A thing. Upon first waft some light cherry - some white pepper (which makes a nice reappearance) and a bit of oak.
First sips validate the nose with all of the above notes making themselves known - this is SMOOTH, very easy to drink, my first glass is gone before I know it.
Due to circumstances we ordered pizza and this paired well - I’d say this could pair really with anything - but it’s definitely not your Lodi Zin bomb its delicate and sexy and super easy to drink - the finish lingers with essence of almond and some lovely white pepper.
This was a terrific bottle and a definite buy.
Thanks as always Alice - apologies I couldn’t get pictures!!
Yeah, it would be nice to see if the bottle has a back label. Nothing on the internet. The one interesting thing I saw was that on the winery website, this wine is labeled “Dry Creek,” not “Sonoma County,” and “Old Vine Zinfandel,” not simply “Zinfandel.” Otherwise identical numbers and price. (You’d think there wouldn’t be more than one version of “Lot 202.”)
@pete0744 Do you still have the bottle? Seems like a bit of a label mystery to me. Does it say Lot Number 202? Just curious. Anything on the back label about vineyard source?
@baldwino0@pete0744 Think that is just an old stock bottle shot on the website. No vintage on the label. Looks like they started making Lot 202 zin in 2013. 2013 and 2014 labels say Dry Creek and Old Vine Zinfandel. In 2015 the labels changed to Sonoma County and Zinfandel
@kaolis@pete0744 Aha, that was my misunderstanding! I’m used to a “lot number” changing one or more times a year (like Marietta OVR which I first bought as Lot 6 in 1989 for $6, killer value!). Had no idea “Lot 202” was a brand.
@Leatherchair It’s a mystery so far. The winery where this was vinted is apparently Rutherford Ranch in St. Helena (Napa). Specifically who and where the grapes were sourced from seems to be anyone’s guess. There’s a lot of zin planted in Sonoma County. This wine does appear elsewhere online with an almost identical label, except it says Dry Creek. But I expect if this offer could say Dry Creek, they would, as that is a prized source for my Zin loving friends.
@baldwino0 thank you for digging in. I have a feeling that I his “mystery” won’t be solved before the clock hits 9:00 pacific tonight! Appreciate it again.
Hello from the winery. Winemaker and I are reading the questions and have some answers:
First, the label picture from the website was a stock picture. A Dry Creek was made in 2017 and this is a 2019 vintage from Sonoma County. The vineyard owners asked to remain anonymous but we can say it was from the Chalk Hill area.
@baldwino0@drumandwine@Leatherchair@WCCWineGirl The 2017 pics on Cellar Tracker clearly show Sonoma County and not Dry Creek. Did you just choose not to label the '17 DC? The '13 and '14 labels say DC, '15 and forward labels are Sonoma County
Apologies for the abbreviated and late report: The 2019 Flinch Sonoma County Zinfandel.
This is an interesting and enjoyable wine. SWMBO and I did not do a full Modified Davis scoring, but were guided by that approach in our tasting. We gave the wine, which had no time to rest after travel across the country, about 20 minutes after opening.
The color is brilliantly clear, with medium body. No sense of heaviness in the glass. Light ‘legs’.
The nose is predominantly berries - good fruit. Raspberries, maybe blackberries….SWMBO suggested we taste a raspberry along with the wine (later sip) and, sure enough, more raspberry than blackberry. Rather spicy aromas as well. Some other hints, but mostly dissipating after a few minutes. Moderately complex.
Flavors are definitely raspberries and spice. Good entry, nice mouth feel filling the mouth, but, again, body is medium.
This is a well-structured wine, designed to go with food; in no way a ‘fruit bomb’. Elegant, really.
This should be a very nice food wine. We’re having lamb chops and I think it will be a lovely pairing.
The finish is medium to long. Some tannins, but also noticeable alcohol ‘heat’.
SWMBO, who usually dislikes high alcohol wines, liked this very much and would give it high marks - where she’s often the low scorer in a group.
It’s closer in style to the elegant Napa Valley Zins made 30 years ago or so than to most current Zins.
If you like Zinfandel, I recommend it. If you’re not sure whether you like Zin, try it. If you don’t like Zin, I feel sorry for you.
@rpm We’re always trying to cut back, but my own SWMBO has given me blanket immunity for Sonoma Zins. So I’m going for the 3-pack. Thanks for the rattage!
Hey all, I worked at Rutherford ranch when Flinch got released by the owner Morgan. It stands for flavor, intensity and character as a fun acronym. We made a flinch white for his son name Pierce that’s delicious. They are all vineyard sourced wines with long time relationship growers but made at Rutherford’s facility in St Helena on the Silverado trail. Hope that helps!
2019 FLINCH Reserve Zinfandel, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $504/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Feb 12 - Tuesday, Feb 13
2019 FLINCH Reserve Zinfandel
3 bottles for $54.99 $18.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Hmmm…WD said this was single vineyard but there’s no info about that in the write up. Hope we can get more information!
Did ChatGPT write this? Or a first year MBA grad. Yeesh.
“Uncompromising and ecologically far-sighted viticulture is an ethical imperative for us. Though more labor intensive than prevalent commercial winegrowing methods, our efforts are rewarded with fruit rich in flavor and character. And great fruit is a prerequisite for great wine.”
@deadlyapp …
Agree. That’s a hard pass trigger here.
@deadlyapp @PaleMongo Kind of lost me at “FLavor, INtensity, and CHaracter”
@kaolis @PaleMongo LMAO I hadn’t even seen that
@deadlyapp
@baldwino0 @deadlyapp @kaolis This is not ChatGPT generated. just so you know.
@baldwino0 @kaolis @Winedavid49 oh I doubted it was, just the way it sounded. Marketing is marketing.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2019 FLINCH Reserve Zinfandel - $20 = 9.08%
LabRat checking in!
Had a crazy day around here with some flooding due to our contractors…ugh (1st world problem)
But alas, this wine was timed perfectly for our disaster laden palates.
pop and pour… oh my this is light - a lavender hue at edges with obvious darkening at center - its VERY light bodied - perhaps the most light bodied zin we’ve ever encountered - not a bad thing, but A thing. Upon first waft some light cherry - some white pepper (which makes a nice reappearance) and a bit of oak.
First sips validate the nose with all of the above notes making themselves known - this is SMOOTH, very easy to drink, my first glass is gone before I know it.
Due to circumstances we ordered pizza and this paired well - I’d say this could pair really with anything - but it’s definitely not your Lodi Zin bomb its delicate and sexy and super easy to drink - the finish lingers with essence of almond and some lovely white pepper.
This was a terrific bottle and a definite buy.
Thanks as always Alice - apologies I couldn’t get pictures!!
Yeah, it would be nice to see if the bottle has a back label. Nothing on the internet. The one interesting thing I saw was that on the winery website, this wine is labeled “Dry Creek,” not “Sonoma County,” and “Old Vine Zinfandel,” not simply “Zinfandel.” Otherwise identical numbers and price. (You’d think there wouldn’t be more than one version of “Lot 202.”)
@pete0744 Do you still have the bottle? Seems like a bit of a label mystery to me. Does it say Lot Number 202? Just curious. Anything on the back label about vineyard source?
@baldwino0 @pete0744 Think that is just an old stock bottle shot on the website. No vintage on the label. Looks like they started making Lot 202 zin in 2013. 2013 and 2014 labels say Dry Creek and Old Vine Zinfandel. In 2015 the labels changed to Sonoma County and Zinfandel
@kaolis @pete0744 Aha, that was my misunderstanding! I’m used to a “lot number” changing one or more times a year (like Marietta OVR which I first bought as Lot 6 in 1989 for $6, killer value!). Had no idea “Lot 202” was a brand.
Hi, does anyone know who the winemaker is for this wine, and where the vineyard is located? Thank you.
@Leatherchair It’s a mystery so far. The winery where this was vinted is apparently Rutherford Ranch in St. Helena (Napa). Specifically who and where the grapes were sourced from seems to be anyone’s guess. There’s a lot of zin planted in Sonoma County. This wine does appear elsewhere online with an almost identical label, except it says Dry Creek. But I expect if this offer could say Dry Creek, they would, as that is a prized source for my Zin loving friends.
@baldwino0 @Leatherchair Winery says it’s from a vineyard in the Chalk Hill area. Trying to find out which one.
@baldwino0 thank you for digging in. I have a feeling that I his “mystery” won’t be solved before the clock hits 9:00 pacific tonight! Appreciate it again.
@baldwino0 @WCCWineGirl ahh. Getting closer! Thank you
@baldwino0 @Leatherchair @WCCWineGirl
Hello from the winery. Winemaker and I are reading the questions and have some answers:
First, the label picture from the website was a stock picture. A Dry Creek was made in 2017 and this is a 2019 vintage from Sonoma County. The vineyard owners asked to remain anonymous but we can say it was from the Chalk Hill area.
@baldwino0 @drumandwine @Leatherchair @WCCWineGirl The 2017 pics on Cellar Tracker clearly show Sonoma County and not Dry Creek. Did you just choose not to label the '17 DC? The '13 and '14 labels say DC, '15 and forward labels are Sonoma County
I‘m supposed to be a LabRat, but the wine hasn‘t arrived…really looking forward to it…we‘ll see if it shows for a tasting!
@rpm bummer!
@rpm Wine just arrived. Should have a report (not full detailed Davis) within the hour.
Hmm - not sure that the Rutherford dust gets blown all the way to Dry Creek …
Apologies for the abbreviated and late report: The 2019 Flinch Sonoma County Zinfandel.
This is an interesting and enjoyable wine. SWMBO and I did not do a full Modified Davis scoring, but were guided by that approach in our tasting. We gave the wine, which had no time to rest after travel across the country, about 20 minutes after opening.
The color is brilliantly clear, with medium body. No sense of heaviness in the glass. Light ‘legs’.
The nose is predominantly berries - good fruit. Raspberries, maybe blackberries….SWMBO suggested we taste a raspberry along with the wine (later sip) and, sure enough, more raspberry than blackberry. Rather spicy aromas as well. Some other hints, but mostly dissipating after a few minutes. Moderately complex.
Flavors are definitely raspberries and spice. Good entry, nice mouth feel filling the mouth, but, again, body is medium.
This is a well-structured wine, designed to go with food; in no way a ‘fruit bomb’. Elegant, really.
This should be a very nice food wine. We’re having lamb chops and I think it will be a lovely pairing.
The finish is medium to long. Some tannins, but also noticeable alcohol ‘heat’.
SWMBO, who usually dislikes high alcohol wines, liked this very much and would give it high marks - where she’s often the low scorer in a group.
It’s closer in style to the elegant Napa Valley Zins made 30 years ago or so than to most current Zins.
If you like Zinfandel, I recommend it. If you’re not sure whether you like Zin, try it. If you don’t like Zin, I feel sorry for you.
@rpm We’re always trying to cut back, but my own SWMBO has given me blanket immunity for Sonoma Zins. So I’m going for the 3-pack. Thanks for the rattage!
@rpm recommendation?! Never steered me wrong before. In for a case. And to think, I almost made it through January without purchasing any wine
I admire your restraint. There have been some good offerings this month. Then again it is only the 19th. Plenty of time to redeem yourself
Hey all, I worked at Rutherford ranch when Flinch got released by the owner Morgan. It stands for flavor, intensity and character as a fun acronym. We made a flinch white for his son name Pierce that’s delicious. They are all vineyard sourced wines with long time relationship growers but made at Rutherford’s facility in St Helena on the Silverado trail. Hope that helps!