2022 Benessere Zinfandel, Black Glass Vineyard, St. Helena, Napa Valley
It opens with bold aromas of boysenberry syrup, fresh plum, and a hint of wintergreen. Earthy notes of wild mushrooms and forest floor add depth to the fruit-forward profile. On the palate, this Zinfandel is rich and velvety, with a lingering finish that showcases its vibrant acidity and well-integrated tannins. A wine of great concentration and balance, it promises to evolve beautifully over the next 5 to 7 years.
The 2022 growing season was blessed by late winter rains that replenished our soil moisture as the vines emerged from dormancy. A cold spring led to a slower start for the vines, but we avoided any frost danger. Summer growing conditions were exceptional, with consistent weather and blue skies ushering in a Goldilocks summer that was not too hot and not too cold. We are thrilled with the quality of the grapes from the outstanding 2022 vintage.
Winemaking
Sourced from our estate’s Black Glass Vineyard, named for the obsidian shards that emerge from the soil after rain, this Zinfandel reflects the unique terroir of our land. Hand-harvested and destemmed, the grapes were fermented in small, open-top fermentors. The wine was gently punched down over 14 days, then aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels for 16 months to balance the fruit’s intensity with subtle oak influences.
Food Pairings
The depth and richness make it a perfect complement to dishes with earthy and savory flavors. Pair it with a porcini mushroom lasagna, where the wine’s bold fruit and earthy notes will harmonize beautifully with the layers of creamy bechamel, pasta, and rich mushrooms. It also pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or wild game highlighting the wine’s robust character.
Specs
Wine Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Estate Vineyard, St. Helena
Harvest Date: September 5
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 247 cases
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x - 2022 Benessere Zinfandel, Black Glass Vineyard, St. Helena, Napa Valley
Case:
12x - 2022 Benessere Zinfandel, Black Glass Vineyard, St. Helena, Napa Valley
We are a small, family-owned boutique winery specializing in Italian varietals made in the heart of Napa Valley, where the soil is ideal for growing these types of grapes. Benessere, an Italian word meaning “well-being” or “living the good life”, reflects our dedication to producing incredible wine and our penchant for providing warm, welcoming hospitality.
The property was purchased in 1994 by John and Ellen Benish and they immediately began restoring the vineyards, winery, and residence. In 1995, they produced their first vintage of Sangiovese and the dream was realized.
The Benish family chose to name their winery ‘Benessere’ because it embodies everything they fell in love with on a trip to Italy in the late 1980s. “Living the good life” is what they hoped to bring to their little slice of Heaven here in Napa Valley and so ‘Benessere’ conveys those unique qualities of a wine country lifestyle one can only find here.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
I received a delightful rat notification as I prepared to dogsit for two weeks while my friend and her family were in Spain for the eclipse.
I had already bought lamb chops (the lil tbone ones) and started a marinade (Dijon, rosemary, thyme, garlic, salt & pepper). This wine was the absolute perfect match for the already planned dinner, as if the decision had been made in the cosmos. I decanted for a couple hours to open it up before dinner.
In the nose, this has a high alcohol and is leather forward. The mouth feel is lush and rich, spicy but smooth like velvet. The berry comes in at the finish with a bang. The color is a deep and gorgeous red.
Once the lamb was introduced, the dark fruit comes to the front, and is elegant and sophisticated.
The leather note never entirely goes away, but it feels so gorgeous along with the berry, dark fruit, and rich mouth feel.
I enjoyed this so much amd this is an incredible example of an elevated but entirely accessible Zinfandel.
@erisire My wife and I love zinfandels, and your report makes me want to buy a case… Unfortunately our cabinets are full and I ordered 2 cases of the tooth and nail cabernet from last week
My wife doesn’t know, and adding a 3rd “surprise” case would be the death of me…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2022 Benessere Black Glass Zinfandel - $105 = 34.99%
Benessere Black Glass Zinfandel
2022 Benessere Zinfandel, Black Glass Vineyard, St. Helena, Napa Valley
Winemaking
Food Pairings
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$636/Case at Benessere Vineyards for 12x 2022 Benessere Zinfandel, Black Glass Vineyard, St. Helena, Napa Valley
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Aug 31 - Tuesday, Sep 1
2022 Benessere Black Glass Zinfandel
3 bottles for $74.99 $25/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $194.99 $16.25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
I received a delightful rat notification as I prepared to dogsit for two weeks while my friend and her family were in Spain for the eclipse.
I had already bought lamb chops (the lil tbone ones) and started a marinade (Dijon, rosemary, thyme, garlic, salt & pepper). This wine was the absolute perfect match for the already planned dinner, as if the decision had been made in the cosmos. I decanted for a couple hours to open it up before dinner.
In the nose, this has a high alcohol and is leather forward. The mouth feel is lush and rich, spicy but smooth like velvet. The berry comes in at the finish with a bang. The color is a deep and gorgeous red.
Once the lamb was introduced, the dark fruit comes to the front, and is elegant and sophisticated.
The leather note never entirely goes away, but it feels so gorgeous along with the berry, dark fruit, and rich mouth feel.
I enjoyed this so much amd this is an incredible example of an elevated but entirely accessible Zinfandel.
In one word: Lush.
Doggy tax:
@erisire My wife and I love zinfandels, and your report makes me want to buy a case… Unfortunately our cabinets are full and I ordered 2 cases of the tooth and nail cabernet from last week
My wife doesn’t know, and adding a 3rd “surprise” case would be the death of me…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2022 Benessere Black Glass Zinfandel - $105 = 34.99%