2018 Mendocino Ridge "DuPratt Vineyard" Zinfandel
99% Zinfandel
1% Schiava Grossa
Yields in this 1920 own-rooted vineyard were just shy of two tons per acre in 2018. Picked October 12th at 25.1 Brix, due to larger than normal berry size, we decided to immediately bleed off 10% of the juice to bring the skin to juice ratio back into a more desirable range. Cold soaked for five days, the wine was pressed 16 days later to all French oak, 28% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Brilliant medium ruby-red but don’t let the lighter color fool you. This wine is packin’! Soaring aromas of macerated cherries and red currants are highlighted by a slight resinous smell that brings to mind the surrounding forest of redwood, fir, buckeye, and bay laurel. Based on the nose alone, one would expect a bruiser on the palate. But not so! Instead, a beautiful, almost lithe wine with gorgeous mouthfeel and intense autumnal red fruit flavors. No question about it, my favorite DuPratt to date. Drink from release through 2027. (MRO - 07/10/20)