Green & Red Chiles Canyon Zinfandel 2017

Green & Red Chiles Canyon Zinfandel 2017 is a 750ml, 100% Zinfandel from Chiles Valley in Napa Valley, awarded 90 points by Wine Spectator. Sourced from three mountain vineyards at elevations between 1,000 and 1,700 feet, this vintage was produced in a limited run of just 2,400 cases and also earned a Silver medal at the Sunset International Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Zinfandel  |  Origin: Chiles Valley, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Producer: Green & Red Vineyard  |  Production: 2,400 cases

Production & Heritage

Green & Red Vineyard sits on a dramatic hillside above Chiles Canyon in eastern Napa Valley, where iron-rich red soils are veined with slick green serpentine—a geological feature that lends the estate its name. For this Zinfandel, the fruit is destemmed but not crushed, given a three-day cold soak, then fermented for nine days in open-top fermenters. The wine aged for 14 months in a combination of 70% American oak (20% new) and 30% French oak, building structure without overwhelming the fruit character that these mountain vineyards deliver.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with brooding blackberry and dark cherry before revealing layers of grilled dill and bay leaf. White pepper emerges as the wine opens, adding aromatic complexity that rewards patience in the glass.

Taste: Entry is focused and zesty, with concentrated dark cherry and raspberry at the core of the mid-palate. Bay leaf and clove accents build toward a broad-shouldered tannic structure. Wine Spectator described the wine as having "brooding blackberry, grilled dill and white pepper flavors," and the tannins are notably refined for a Zinfandel of this intensity.

Finish: The finish carries impressive length, with white pepper lingering alongside dark berry notes. Tannins are firm yet polished, suggesting continued improvement through 2029.

How to Drink Chiles Canyon Zinfandel

This Zinfandel shows best with 20–30 minutes of air; a decant is recommended to let the darker aromatics fully unfold. Served neat in a large-bowled glass, the wine's layered spice and fruit come into full relief. For cocktail-adjacent applications: a Kalimotxo works surprisingly well with Zinfandel's bold fruit if you want a casual warm-weather serve; a classic Sangria built around this wine's berry and spice notes would be exceptional; and a Mulled Wine preparation during cooler months complements the existing clove and bay leaf character naturally present in the wine.

Best For

• Gifting a Napa Valley wine enthusiast who appreciates mountain-grown Zinfandel
• Pairing with a weekend barbecue or grilled meat dinner
• Cellaring through 2029 as part of a focused California Zin collection
• Hosting a comparative tasting of Chiles Valley wines alongside other Napa sub-appellations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chiles Canyon Zinfandel taste like? This 2017 vintage delivers concentrated dark cherry and blackberry with savory accents of bay leaf, clove, and white pepper, framed by refined tannins and a zesty acidity that keeps the wine balanced despite its richness.

How does Chiles Canyon Zinfandel compare to Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel? Ridge Vineyards has historically sourced Zinfandel grapes from the Green & Red estate, making this a direct and fascinating comparison. The estate-bottled Chiles Canyon expression tends to emphasize the site's distinctive white pepper and herbal notes, while Ridge's winemaking typically leans toward longer aging and a different oak program.

Is Chiles Canyon Zinfandel good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its 90-point Wine Spectator rating reflects a wine built for attentive drinking. Give it time to breathe and it rewards with layered aromatics that unfold over the course of an evening.

Where is Chiles Canyon Zinfandel made? It is produced by Green & Red Vineyard in the Chiles Valley district of eastern Napa Valley, California. The fruit comes from three mountain vineyard sites situated between 1,000 and 1,700 feet in elevation above Chiles Canyon.

What foods pair well with Chiles Canyon Zinfandel? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's peppery spice; smoked beef brisket mirrors its dark fruit intensity; aged cheddar or Manchego complement the tannic structure; roasted eggplant with herbs echoes the bay leaf and dill notes; and wood-fired pizza with sausage and peppers stands up to the wine's bold profile.

What sizes does Chiles Canyon Zinfandel come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Chiles Canyon Zinfandel worth the price? At just 2,400 cases produced, this positions as a small-production, estate-grown Napa Valley Zinfandel with a 90-point critical endorsement—placing it firmly in the premium tier where quality and limited availability justify the investment.

Why Chiles Canyon Zinfandel?

What separates this wine from the broader Napa Zinfandel field is the specificity of its site: mountain-elevation vineyards planted in serpentine-laced, iron-rich soils that produce grapes of unusual concentration and mineral character. The 90-point Wine Spectator score confirms the 2017 as a standout vintage, and the thoughtful production—destemmed but uncrushed fruit, cold soak, open-top fermentation, and a measured 14-month oak program—preserves varietal expression rather than burying it. With a drinking window extending through 2029, this is a Zinfandel with both immediate appeal and genuine cellar potential.