Klinker Brick Brickmason

Klinker Brick Brickmason is a Lodi, California red blend built on 80% old vine Zinfandel, bottled at 14.9% ABV in a 750ml format. This Zinfandel-driven cuvée earned 90 points from Wine Review Online critic Norm Roby for the 2020 vintage, and the 2016 vintage took Gold Medals at both the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Texas International Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Red Blend  |  Producer: Klinker Brick Winery

Production & Heritage

Klinker Brick Winery operates in the heart of Lodi, one of California's most storied Zinfandel growing regions, where some vines date back generations. The Brickmason blend begins with barrel sampling across 16 different Zinfandel lots, ultimately selecting two standout parcels: Costa Zinfandel for its bright acidity, red fruit, and spicy pepper character, and Burney Mettler for big dark fruit, firm tannins, and bold structure. These two lots are blended in equal measure before the addition of 10% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petite Sirah, with the final wine spending 16 months in American oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Inky purple in the glass, the nose opens with concentrated blackberry and boysenberry, followed by warm clove, cracked pepper, and a layer of vanilla cream from its American oak maturation. The aromatics are robust and deeply layered.

Taste: The entry is rich and immediately fruit-forward, delivering ripe blackberry jam and baked cherry pie flavors. At mid-palate, black currant and allspice build with a firm tannic backbone contributed by the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah components. Hints of blueberry and toasty oak emerge as the wine opens up.

Finish: The finish is soft and velvety with a spicy, dry fade and lingering notes of licorice and dark fruit. It holds its composure without turning hot despite the elevated alcohol.

How to Drink Brickmason

Brickmason is best served at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, and benefits from 20–30 minutes of breathing time in a large-bowled glass to let the concentrated fruit aromatics expand. For cocktail-adjacent applications, it works well in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) where its bold fruit stands up to the mixer; a Red Wine Sangria loaded with stone fruit and cinnamon sticks that complement its spice profile; or a Mulled Wine during cooler months, where the existing clove and allspice notes harmonize naturally with traditional mulling spices.

Best For

• Pairing with weekend barbecue and grilled meats
• Gifting a Zinfandel enthusiast looking beyond single-varietal bottlings
• Serving at a casual dinner party with bold, rustic fare
• Building a collection of award-winning Lodi reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Brickmason taste like? Brickmason delivers concentrated blackberry jam, baked cherry, and black currant flavors layered with allspice, clove, and toasty vanilla oak. The texture is full-bodied and velvety with a spicy, dry finish.

How does Brickmason compare to Italian Primitivo blends like Doppio Passo? Both share a ripe, fruit-forward generosity rooted in the Zinfandel/Primitivo grape, but Brickmason adds structural complexity through its four-varietal blend and 16-month American oak aging. Primitivo bottlings like Doppio Passo tend to lean sweeter and softer, while Brickmason offers firmer tannins and a drier, spicier finish.

Is Brickmason good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the layered fruit, balanced tannins, and velvety texture make it a satisfying standalone pour, especially after a short decant. Its 14.9% ABV is in line with other full-bodied Lodi reds and stays integrated rather than overly warm.

Where is Brickmason made? Brickmason is produced by Klinker Brick Winery in Lodi, California, a region in the northern San Joaquin Valley widely recognized as one of the premier Zinfandel-growing appellations in the United States.

What foods pair well with Brickmason? Smoked beef brisket matches the wine's dark fruit intensity; lamb burgers with blue cheese echo its bold spice; wood-fired pizza with sausage and peppers complements the peppery Zinfandel core; aged cheddar highlights the vanilla oak notes; and dark chocolate brownies work as a dessert pairing alongside the wine's berry richness.

What sizes does Brickmason come in? Klinker Brick Brickmason is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Brickmason worth the price? Brickmason positions as a mid-range Lodi red blend that over-delivers for its tier, carrying Gold Medal competition pedigree and 90-point critical recognition while competing against wines at similar or higher price points. For a four-varietal blend built from individually selected old vine lots and aged 16 months in oak, it represents strong value in the California Zinfandel-blend category.

Why Brickmason?

What separates Brickmason from generic red blends is the granular lot selection process — hand-picking two specific Zinfandel parcels out of 16 candidates, each chosen for a distinct structural role, before layering in three complementary varietals. That barrel-by-barrel curation, combined with 16 months of American oak aging, produces a wine with more complexity and definition than most blends at this level. The 90-point score from Wine Review Online and multiple Gold Medal wins confirm the consistency of this approach across vintages. For anyone drawn to bold, fruit-driven California reds with real backbone, Brickmason justifies its place on the table.