Amista’s 2023 Gene’s Block Zinfandel is a single-block Dry Creek Valley wine with nearly two decades of history behind the fruit. It comes from Saini Farms, less than a mile from the winery, where Amista has sourced Zinfandel since 2005. That longstanding relationship, paired with Ashley Herzberg’s steady hand in the cellar, gives this $26 bottle far more identity than its price suggests. Ashley’s approach centers on letting Gene’s Block speak for itself. The Zinfandel is hand-picked, carefully sorted, destemmed, and fermented in open-top tanks before settling into neutral French oak for an extended élevage. It’s an intentionally hands-off path, preserving the fruit and spice rather than burying them under winemaking. The production makes it even more compelling. Gene’s Block is made with the kind of focus that only small-production wine allows. At $26, this is serious Dry Creek Zinfandel with a sense of place and a price that makes buying a case an easy decision.