Exploring
the Wineries of the Dry Creek Valley - Fritz
Fritz
Underground Winery, in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley,
was founded by Mr. Jay Arthur Fritz in the late 1970's with
a viticultural passion for sustainability, quality, and tradition.
Today, Jay's son Clayton runs the winery with the same dedication
and enthusiasm to these core values, and it really shows in
the wines they produce.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Fritz
2012 Zinfanel
Winery:
Fritz Underground Winery
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of raspberries and plums unfurl into notes of
spice and cassis on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of
bramble fruit and cherry with accents of pepper and dark
chocolate. Ample fruit and welcoming highlights of spice
make this an enjoyable wine. 1,400 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Fritz
2012 Malbec
Winery:
Fritz Underground Winery
Grape(s): 100% Malbec
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries
mingle with suggestions of earth and dark chocolate on
the nose. The palate offers flavors of blackberry, cherry,
and tart blueberry that coalesce with hints of baker's
chocolate and minerals. Dark, rich flavors and supple
tannins make this a very approachable Malbec. 100 cases
were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Fritz
2012 "Estate Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Fritz Underground Winery
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, currants, and black cherries
come together with traces of cocoa and toasty oak on the
nose. With a sip, flavors of currant and bramble fruit
emerge, along with accents of dark chocolate and campfire
spice. Nicely structured and rich, this is an ideal Cab
for a juicy steak. 120 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Fritz
2012 "Propietor's Red" Wine
Winery:
Fritz Underground Winery
Grape(s): 60% Cabernet Sauvignon &
40% Malbec
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Blueberries, cherries, and plums aromas open up into notes
of gram cracker and sweet spice on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of black cherry, plum, and blackberry that flow
into suggestions of clove and all-spice. A supple, lush
wine with velvety tannins, fans of dark, fruit-driven
reds will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 88 |
|
Fritz
2013 Rosé Wine
Winery:
Fritz Underground Winery
Grape(s): Zinfandel, Malbec, & Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Notes of strawberries, cherries, and watermelon meld with
nuances of cola on the nose. Flavors of cherry, strawberry,
and raspberry interweave with hints of sassafras root
and minerals on the palate. A supple Rosé, with
a welcoming acidity, enjoy a bottle with grilled salmon.
160 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Fritz
2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Fritz Underground Winery
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of tropical fruit, tart apple, and citrus blossoms
greet the senses. Green apple, tangerine, and lime flavors
emerge on the palate, along with highlights of fresh minerals.
A crisp wine, with a fresh acidity, fans of effervescent
whites will enjoy this bottle. 1,750 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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