At a glance

Producer

Storybook Mountain Vineyards

Region

Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Zinfandel

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$45-65 USD retail (as of 2024, secondary market/higher-end shops may price up to $90)

Tasting profile

Red and black fruits (cherry, blackberry), dried herbs, Asian spice, cedar, subtle earth. Layered, with bright acidity and soft tannin.

Evolution: Primary fruit now giving way to dried berry, leather, forest floor; spice and earth more pronounced.

At peak: Complex, resolved, nuanced—fruit-soft, savory, bright finish. 2019-2023 best window.

Structure

Acidity

Medium+ (notable for Zinfandel, contributes to longevity)

Tannins

Medium, silky by this age

Alcohol

Moderate (typically ~14.5%)

Aging potential

Excellent for Zinfandel, up to 10-12 years

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2020 to 2023

Optimal window

2018 to 2024

Current status

At or just past peak

Current condition

Approaching maturity; balanced fruit, tannins softened, tertiary notes present. Notable freshness remains if well-stored.

Storybook Mountain Zinfandels from Mayacamas Range are renowned for structure and aging. 2014 is a celebrated vintage—ample acidity and careful extraction have allowed the wine to mature gracefully. It’s presently showing full maturity, with tertiary complexity layered over mellow fruit. Drink soon for optimal experience.

Food pairing

Grilled lamb, rosemary duck, mushroom risotto, aged gouda, Italian sausage, roasted root vegetables.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine is 11 years old, has medium tannins, and benefits from aeration to enhance its silky texture and complex flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Estate is dry-farmed (no irrigation), organic vineyard management (no synthetic herbicides/pesticides since 1980s), habitat conservation, renewal energy (solar power for operations), recycled glass and eco-friendly packaging, minimal sulfur use, biodiversity preservation, gravity-flow winemaking.

Storybook Mountain is a benchmark for sustainable Zinfandel in Napa. Certified organic since the 1980s, rigorous dry-farming conserves water in drought-prone California. Solar panels power winery operations. Packaging emphasizes recycled materials; vineyard practices promote soil health and habitats. Napa Green and Fish Friendly certifications are rare for Zinfandel-focused estates in California. Transportation is the main footprint factor but, otherwise, sustainability is among the highest in the US wine industry.