Palate
Aromas and flavors of baked raspberries, Bing cherry, and mulberries are balanced by notes of cracked peppercorn, vanilla bean and the historic vineyard’s hallmark overtones of spice and dusty earth. Rich and concentrated, this wine showcases a vibrant line of acidity that follows through in the long, silky finish.
Growing Conditions
This wine is 100% Zinfandel from our revered Monte Rosso Vineyard. Though yields are small, about 1.5 to 3 tons per acre, old gnarled vines produce exceptional fruit with deep concentration. In 2018, bountiful winter rain delayed bud break and flowering. We had an ideal summer with generously sun filled days and cooler marine influenced nights, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The mild weather continued late into fall creating a very long growing season which allowed excellent flavor development and expression.
Harvest
Our Gnarly Vine Zinfandel grapes were picked and sorted by hand at our Micro Winery.
Aging
They were then gravity fed into small, open top tanks for a three-day cold soak before primary fermentation. The wine was aged in a combination of French oak barrels (47% new) and American oak barrels (21% new) for a total of 16 months.
