2015 Russian River Valley "Limerick Lane Vineyard" Zinfandel
98% Zinfandel
2% Mixed Black Varieties (Petite Sirah, Peloursin, Trousseau)
It was a bit surreal to start harvest on August 18th, picking both Compagni Portis, just east of the town of Sonoma, and Limerick Lane Zinfandel, in the Russian River Valley, on the same day. Makes no sense! But with a light crop on these 105-year-old vines, I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. Fermented with local yeasts, the wine was aged in all once-used French oak. As usual, unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium ruby-garnet, this wine is a bit of a trickster. A deep, concentrated nose of cherry compote and blood orange leads one to expect something fairly full-bodied on the palate. Instead, the wine is remarkably bright and elegant, with beautiful balance and laser-like precision. Certainly one of our most feminine Zinfandels in 2015. While enjoyable now, this wine should continue to improve in bottle for another four to five years and then hold nicely for an additional seven. Drink 2017 – 2025. (MRO – 04/03/17)