2010 Sonoma Valley "Pagani Ranch" Zinfandel
95% Zinfandel
5% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Petite Sirah, and others)
Pagani! Just saying this vineyard’s name sends shivers up and down my spine. For nearly twenty years I’ve driven by this historic vineyard, admiring (nay, lusting for!) the 100 plus year-old vines of Zinfandel, Alicante, and other mixed blacks. This is truly one of the all-time great old-vine vineyards of California. It is both an honor and a privilege to be making wine from it. The only disappointing news is that our section of the vineyard, planted in the 1890s, had very little fruit in 2010. Fortunately, yields were much better in 2011. Unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium to medium-dark ruby. Heady aromas of Zin-berry (imagine a cross of raspberry and cherry), figs, and orange zest. Oh my! The wine enters smoothly, enveloping the palate with its weight and concentration, yet ample acidity keeps the wine from becoming heavy or ponderous. Incredibly well balanced for such a large-framed wine. Drink from late 2012 through 2016, perhaps even longer. (MRO – 01/17/12)