2012 Sonoma Valley "Monte Rosso Vineyard" Zinfandel
94% Zinfandel
6% Grand Noir
Planted in 1886, our block of Zinfandel was picked September 20th at 25.0 Brix. A small amount of Grand Noir, a cross of Petit Bouschet and Aramon and a sibling of the teinturier Alicante Bouschet, was included for color and spice. Fully destemmed. A modest twenty-two percent new French oak was used to broaden the palate without adding flavors or aromas of oak (we enjoy flavors and aromas of fruit, not wood). Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium-dark ruby-garnet. With swirling and aeration, a brooding nose of red cherries, orange zest, and chocolate emerges. For some reason, the words “breed” and “class” come to mind when I smell this wine. Delightfully refined on the palate, the wine displays impressive depth and purity in its red and blue fruit flavors. Amazingly well-balanced. You can’t help but feel you’re drinking something quite noble and special. Enjoy from mid-2014 through 2022. (MRO – 01/18/14)