Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel

Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel is a 100% Zinfandel wine from Contra Costa County, California, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the 2016 vintage scored 91 points from Wine Spectator, landing at #40 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2018 — a remarkable achievement for a wine at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Contra Costa County, California  |  100% Zinfandel  |  Winery: Cline Family Cellars

Production & Heritage

Cline Family Cellars was founded in 1982 by Fred and Nancy Cline. The winery is the largest holder of 100-plus-year-old-vine vineyards in California, and this bottling draws primarily from the oldest, most historic, and shyest-bearing Zinfandel blocks in Contra Costa County — some with vines well over a century old. The sandy soils of Contra Costa County naturally resist phylloxera, which is why these ungrafted, head-trained vines have survived so long. The wine is aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, lending structure without overwhelming the expressive old-vine fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with generous blackberry and boysenberry, followed by layers of cinnamon, dried herbs, and potpourri. A thread of vanilla cream and toasted spice rounds out the aromatic profile.

Taste: The entry is lively and fruit-forward, with ripe strawberry-raspberry jam flavors meeting red and black plum on the mid-palate. As it develops, notes of maple, clove, black peppercorn, and bittersweet chocolate emerge, giving the wine a satisfying depth. The fruit carries a surprising delicacy and vibrancy given the wine's full-bodied frame.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering licorice, fresh pepper, and dark berry notes. A subtle spice warmth persists, leaving a clean, balanced impression.

How to Drink Ancient Vines Zinfandel

This Zinfandel is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F), either on its own or with food. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes can open up the aromatics. It also works well in red wine cocktails: try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the jammy fruit holds up against the sweetness; a New York Sour, where its berry intensity adds complexity floated over rye whiskey; or a Sangria, where the ripe plum and spice notes complement citrus and brandy.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled meats or hearty pasta
• Introducing someone to old-vine California Zinfandel
• Building a case of reliable, critic-approved everyday reds
• Barbecue season — from smoked ribs to pulled pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ancient Vines Zinfandel taste like? It delivers ripe blackberry, raspberry jam, and plum flavors layered with black pepper, clove, and a touch of chocolate. The old vines contribute a concentrated yet vibrant fruit character that balances richness with finesse.

How does Ancient Vines Zinfandel compare to Seghesio Zinfandel? Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel tends toward greater subtlety and structural finesse, while Cline Ancient Vines leans into a more fruit-forward, jammy profile with prominent spice. Both are benchmark California Zinfandels, but Cline typically comes in at a lower price point, making it a strong value alternative.

Is Ancient Vines Zinfandel good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its ripe berry core and balanced oak make it an approachable sipper that doesn't require food to shine. A slight chill and a short decant bring out its best qualities.

Where is Ancient Vines Zinfandel made? It is produced by Cline Family Cellars from vineyards in Contra Costa County, east of San Francisco in California's greater Bay Area. The sandy soils of this region have preserved some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in the state.

What foods pair well with Ancient Vines Zinfandel? Slow-smoked barbecue ribs complement the wine's peppery spice. Lamb burgers with blue cheese echo its dark fruit richness. Eggplant Parmesan mirrors its herbal and tomato-friendly acidity. Aged cheddar or Manchego bring out the toasted oak undertones. Pepperoni or sausage pizza is a classic, crowd-pleasing match.

What sizes does Ancient Vines Zinfandel come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Ancient Vines Zinfandel worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-range Zinfandel that consistently punches above its weight in critical scores, including 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100. For old-vine Zinfandel with verifiable critical acclaim, it represents strong value in the category.

Why Ancient Vines Zinfandel?

The defining fact behind this wine is its source material: century-old, head-trained, own-rooted vines in Contra Costa County, drawn from the largest collection of 100-plus-year-old vineyards in California. Those ancient vines naturally produce low yields with concentrated flavors that younger plantings simply cannot replicate. The wine's track record of critical recognition — including a #40 finish on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list in 2018 and a 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast for the 2022 vintage — confirms that the quality is consistent, not a one-off. In a Zinfandel market crowded with high-alcohol, over-extracted bottlings, Ancient Vines delivers concentration with restraint, making it one of the most dependable old-vine Zinfandels on the shelf.