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Wine Details
Price:
$27.00 per bottle
Description:
Bella Vineyard, located on north Vineyard Drive in the cool hills of the Willow Creek microclimate, produced a mere 1 ton per acre in 2003. Bordering on the hilly Adelaida microclimate, where Pinot Noir and Bordeaux varieties thrive due to the very cool oceanic influence in western Paso Robles, Bella’s east facing slope is protected from the afternoon and evening breezes and enjoys consistently warm days in the high 80’s and nights in the 50’s. .
The grapes were fermented in small open tops and punched down by hand for gentle yet thorough extraction. A Rhône-style yeast enhanced flavors of strawberry, pepper, and violets. Aged 16 months in American oak.
Aromas of spice and cherry precede flavors of wild berries and blackberry, followed by a pepper and spice finish and gentle tannins in this soft, silky zinfandel. The delicate tannins and rich fruit are a perfect companion for a wide range of foods, from grilled meats to rich sauces
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Varietal Definition
Zinfandel:
Zinfandel is a variety of red grape planted in over 10 percent of California wine vineyards. DNA fingerprinting revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, and also the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in the 'heel' of Italy. It is typically made into a robust red wine. Its taste depends on the ripeness of the grapes from which it is made. Red berry fruits like raspberry predominate in wines from cooler areas such as the Napa Valley, whereas blackberry, anise and pepper notes are more common in wines made in warmer areas such as Sonoma County. Many Zinfandels come from head pruned ‘Old Vines’. ‘Old Vine’ is generally understood to mean a vine that is more than 50 years old and that produces less than three tons per acre. ‘Head Pruning’ is an old European style of pruning that trains the vine into the shape of a goblet. It requires no wires or other complex trellis systems. Head pruning spreads the fruit uniformly along the vine and allows light penetration.In the USA a semi-sweet Rosé (blush-style) wine called ‘White Zinfandel’ has achieved widespread popularity. In fact, this popularity has so outstripped all other forms that many fans think there is actually a grape called “White Zinfandel” (there isn’t)!
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Pinot Noir:
The name is derived from the French words for ‘pine’ and ‘black’ alluding to the varietals' tightly clustered dark purple pine cone shaped bunches of fruit. Pinot Noir grapes are grown around the world, mostly in the cooler regions, but the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. It is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine. By volume most Pinot Noir in America is grown in California with Oregon coming in second. Other regions are Washington State and New York.During 2004 and the beginning of 2005, Pinot Noir became considerably more popular amongst consumers in the United States, possibly because of the movie Sideways. Being lighter in style, it has benefited from a trend toward more restrained, less alcoholic wines. It is the delicate, subtle, complex and elegant nature of this wine that encourages growers and winemakers to cultivate this difficult grape. Robert Parker has described Pinot Noir: "When it's great, Pinot Noir produces the most complex, hedonistic, and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world."
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