A relatively new project by HALL, BACA Wines focuses on high quality Zinfandel wines, with a good value white wine and the best canned Rose you will find. BACA sources from some of California’s most esteemed Zinfandel sites including some locations planted in the 1920s. The range of Zinfandel is really fun to taste, as the lineup reveals serious range from more restrained, acid-driven styles to rich and jammier renditions. All of the wines are splendid and beautifully showcase the terroir and climate that they are sourced from.
Do not miss on the killer value 2021 BACA ‘Stargazing’ White Wine (OB, 91) which is fresh and beautifully textured. The best wine I tasted was the delicious 2021 BACA ‘I Spy’ Zinfandel (OB, 94) which is concentrated with dense dark fruits but also shows lovely earthy undertones. Learn more about this great project at bacawines.com and here are my reviews of the new BACA wines.
2021 BACA ‘Stargazing’ White Wine- The outstanding 2021 BACA ‘Stargazing’ White Wine blends Marsanne and Rousanne from a late-ripening site located in Redwood Valley. Old vines here are set on an ancient seabed. Brioche and roasted almond combine with honeydew melon on the palate with a silky texture. Don’t serve too cold. Drink 2022-2027- 91
2021 BACA ‘Tug O’ War’ Zinfandel- Sourced from the Maffei Vineyard, this comes from the Russian River in Sonoma County. One of the plantings dates all the way back to 1929. This is a cooler site for Zinfandel, as this opens with red currants and dill notes alongside ripe red raspberry and potpourri on the nose. The palate is very fresh and polished with silky tannins. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2021 BACA ‘Cat’s Cradle’ Zinfandel- This comes form the Rockpile appellation which is northwest of Healdberg. Set near Lake Sonoma, in this rocky site, this reveals a wonderful aromatic intensity with deep dark fruit with dark florals alongside smoldering stones. Super-concentrated dark berries combine with light salinity and a beautiful astringency on the palate. Full-bodied, this is beautiful wine to consume now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2034- 94
2021 BACA ‘I Spy’ Zinfandel- The 2021 BACA ‘I Spy’ Zinfandel comes from the Black Sears Vineyard which is located in Howell Mountain. This old vine site is located 1900 feet above Napa Valley. This shows beautiful red rose petals with wet stone, tobacco leaf and heady red fruits on the nose. The viscosity is terrific with concentrated wild blackberry and black cherry flavors that mingle well with loamy soils and suggestions of baking spices on the palate. Drink 2022-2034- 94
2021 BACA ‘Home Base’ Zinfandel- The outstanding 2021 BACA ‘Home Base Zinfandel comes from this Dry Creek site, set on diverse soil types. Once on the nose this shows pretty red cherry candy with cigar box, exotic spices, blackberry jam and orange rind notes. The palate shows good power and underlying freshness, jam packed full of red and dark fruits, with silty soils. Drink 2022-2032- 92