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Wine Details
Price:
$28.00 per bottle
Description:
As much as I appreciate the delicate perfumes that are retained in cool vintages, Zinfandel is a variety that enjoys a good bake now and then. This stuff seemed to laugh at the hot, dry streak that occurred at harvest. Perhaps the vines at the Scherrer vineyard were just in such good shape before then (ask my dad)? It's hard to say what were the most important factors, but the results speak for themselves. Harvested exactly when we wanted to, I am thrilled with the generosity of flavor, and the balance between ripeness and restraint this vintage shows. Huge aromas of blue, red and black berries, as well as cassis flavors meld into a long and persistent finish.
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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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