The Pitch:Northern California’s fertile lands have sung the siren song to wannabe viticulturists for decades and perhaps too many have answered the call. For every Francis Ford Coppola there is that celebrity dilettante who just likes seeing his name on a bottle (Vince Neil, I’m talking to you). To the ranks of Coppola must be added Rich Frank, the one-time President of Walt Disney Studios. Since 1992, Rich has turned his passion for Napa Valley into a serious slate of wines. I was lucky enough to try the 2006 Zinfandel, a wine that gets your attention faster than you can say “Mirror mirror on the wall.” First you notice its deep, velvety color. Then you inhale the massive fruits (cherry, blackberry, plums) and even a bit of clove and pepper. Lastly, take a deep breath and let the ridiculously long finish do its magic.
Movie Pairing:
The Disney film library is deep and varied, with disparate gems like Fantasia, The Pirates of the Caribbean and Tron. Yes, Disney is the “happiest place on earth” but there has always been an unsettling quality to their films. Nowhere is this alchemy of mystery and the macabre better represented than in literature’s most enduringly creepy coming-of-age story, Something Wicked This Way Comes, adapted for the screen by Walt Disney Pictures in 1983. I bet Ray Bradbury could imagine Mr. Dark winding down another stressful day of soul collecting by enjoying a goblet of this devilishly good Zinfandel.
What to serve it with:
If the souls of those desperately seeking beauty, youth or fame aren’t your bag, then try the Frank Family Zinfandel with roasted or barbecued meats and truffle mac ‘n cheese. Sinfully good.
Price: $37
Imbiber Rating: 93
