2022 Baca Home Base Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 6pk 6x750ml

Jennifer Brown of Napa's Hall family joined forces with Walt Wines winemaker Alison Frichtl Hollister to create Baca — Latin for 'berry' — a focused line of eight AVA-named Zinfandels, each one a distinct expression of place. This is the Dry Creek Valley bottling, sourced from vines 40 to 70 years old in the appellation that's been turning out exceptional Zinfandel since the 1880s.

The 2022 vintage delivers what old-vine Dry Creek fruit does best: concentration without heaviness, power with refinement. At 98% Zinfandel with a 2% Petite Sirah spine, it's inky in the glass and built to last. Owen Bargreen scored it 93 points, and Wine Spectator's Tim Fish awarded it 94, calling out its "zesty and vibrant elements" and "handsomely layered black raspberry and cherry flavors."

Rich dark berry tones run through the core — ripe raspberry, blackberry, baked plum — laced with fennel, chocolate, cracked pepper, and a thread of licorice. The palate is dense and weighty but stays fresh, finishing with refined tannins and a long, spicy fade. It's the kind of Zinfandel that drinks like bottles twice the price.

Drinks beautifully now and will hold through 2032. Pull the cork tonight or let it ride — either way, this is $35 Zinfandel that punches well above its weight.