2007 Hendry "Block 7 and 22" Napa Zinfandel

*Year's Best Zinfandel: 2011* This grows on nine acres of benchland west of Napa, one sector planted in 1975, the other in 1995. It's a heady wine, as fat in the middle as a plump Napa Valley cabernet with distinctly zin-like floral notes of hibiscus, along with smoked paprika. There's tension to the structure, girding the wine for bottle age, though it's delicious to drink now: a vibrant red for venison roasted black cherries. (10/ 2011)

Classic Zinfandel, rich and robust and high in alcohol, with enormously ripe blackberry, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors, sprinkled with Zin's pepper, cinnamon and clove spices. This fullbodied wine raises Zinfandel’s rustic nature to Napa elegance. (12/ 2011)

Hendry Blocks 7 and 22 are located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. This nine-acre block is between 230 and 300 feet above sea level and has thin, stony Boomer series soils. The maritime climate is moderated by morning fog and strong afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay. Bright mouthwatering fruit aromas are accented by chocolate, spice and floral notes. On the palate, the wine has body, bright acidity and a comfortable amount of structure, with the fine-grained and subtle tannins that are characteristic of Block 7.