2008 Russian River Valley "Montafi Ranch" Zinfandel
88% Zinfandel
12% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Petite Sirah)
Whether it’s the slightly higher elevation or just plain luck, somehow the 82-year old vines at Montafi Ranch managed to escape the devastating late spring frost – a good thing since yields were only 1.2 tons to the acre. As usual, fermentation was indigenous. After 19 days on the skins, it was pressed to all French oak, 33% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium-dark to dark ruby-purple. Gorgeous aromas of blackberries and raspberries are laced with notes of menthol and spice. On the palate, medium-full to full-bodied but amazingly precise and focused. Stylistically, more in the vein of the 2005 and 2007, our two favorite Montafi (aka Tom Feeney) bottlings. Drinkable on release but best between 2012 and 2018.