Nose
The Folie à Deux 2013 Zinfandel opens with jammy berry aromas, framed by
notes of allspice, mocha and cedar.
Palate
The bright fruit flavors, balanced acidity and
medium tannins in this Zinfandel complement its soft, round mouthfeel and
long, lingering finish.
Growing Conditions
Located northwest of the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, the Dry Creek
Valley is one of California’s smallest appellations, measuring just 16 miles long
and two miles wide. The area was discovered in the 1870’s by Italian immigrants,
who were reminded of the hills in their native Tuscany and Piedmont. They
planted Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane grapes on the Dry Creek Valley’s
benchlands to emulate the hearty red wines to which they were accustomed,
often inter-planting the varieties to create “field-blended” wines.
Harvest
The Dry Creek Valley’s warm summer days—tempered by morning fog from the
Pacific Ocean—and its well-drained, stony soils translate to highly concentrated
and complex fruit. The 2013 season brought relatively warm temperatures in
the spring and early summer. As a result, both Zinfandel and Petite Sirah grapes
ripened quickly and evenly, creating wines with an excellent balance of acidity
and tannins.
Winemaking
The grapes for this Zinfandel underwent a three-day cold soak, and a starter
yeast was used to initiate fermentation at 75°F. During a maceration period
of 11 to 15 days, the juice was pumped over the skins daily to maximize the
extraction of the variety’s rich flavor and tannins. Delestage—an oxygenation
technique—was employed during active fermentation to soften the wine and
showcase its fruit character.
Aging
This Zinfandel was aged in a combination of French
and American oak barrels.
Food Pairing
For an excellent pairing, serve this wine with braised pork
topped with a spiced curry sauce and rosemary herbs.
