2007 Russian River Valley "Montafi Ranch" Zinfandel
88% Zinfandel
12% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Petite Sirah)
Ah yes! Montafi Ranch! Year in and year out, this ranch produces one of our top Zinfandels, and in some years, the top. One of our last Zins to be picked in 2007, we indigenously co-fermented approximately 7% Alicante Bouschet. Twenty-seven percent new French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Black ruby-purple, almost opaque. The nose offers a veritable cornucopia of berry fruits (boysenberry, blackberry, raspberry) with notes of spice, lavender, and eucalyptus. On the palate, full-bodied but amazingly precise and focused. Stylistically, similar to the 2005, yet more concentrated à la 2004. There have been many great Montafi’s (aka Tom Feeney) over the years but this is surely one of the best. Drink this age worthy Zinfandel from 2010 through 2015. (MRO – 03/10/09)