Nose
Perfect for summer barbeques, our 2010 Small Lot Napa Valley
Zinfandel opens with vibrant aromas of raspberry, cinnamon and
cedar.
Palate
A palate of brambleberry and black plum. With a
touch of sweetness to the tannins, the wine gives a lush mouthfeel
that can be enjoyed immediately but has the structure to benefit
from 3-5 years in the cellar.
Growing Conditions
The grapes for the Napa Valley Zinfandel are sourced from low
yielding, high quality vineyards in the Chiles Valley District, an
appellation known for growing great Zinfandel. A hint of Syrah,
sourced from our estate vineyards in the cool Jameson Canyon, was
included for flavor intensity and complexity, creating a wine that is
worthy of inclusion in our limited-production Small Lot Collection.
2010 was a relatively cool growing season accented by unexpected
heat spikes towards the end of summer that resulted in a late and
shortened harvest with lower yields. Our winemaking team was
excited about the quality they saw from the vineyards, and were
confident that their patience with the unexpected weather would be
rewarded in the end. Once harvested, the grapes displayed concentrated
flavors that are proving to materialize into elegant, structured
wines.
Winemaking
The grapes for our 2010 Small Lot Napa Valley Zinfandel were
hand sorted and fermented on the skins for ten days with pumpovers
performed twice daily.
Aging
After fermentation, the wine was gently
pressed, racked and moved to once-used French and American oak
barrels for 18 months.
Food Pairing
Try pairing this delicious wine with
barbequed pork ribs or grilled sausage.
