2014 Zinfandel Heritage Vines™ Alegría Vineyards

93 points - 2017 California State Fair Wine Competition
92 points - The International Wine Review
91 points & Gold Medal - 2017 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition
Listed as one of the best Zinfandels from the 2017 ZAP Grand Tasting by Pierre DuMont of the Piedmont Post. "I've been a huge fan of this wine for years...This variety provides amazing aromatic and taste complexity. There are layers of blueberry, plum, spice box, earth and the perfect touch of vanilla. A fascinating wine to contemplate on it own..."

Tasting Notes

An enticing nose of black raspberry threaded with white pepper and toasty oak. The smooth mouthfeel caresses with a luscious mix of spicy blackberry, plum, and boysenberry. Mocha and dark chocolate round out the wine, adding depth and elegance. Black cherry and a trace of cedar appear near the finish as the flavors expand and linger.

Winemaker's Notes

Our Heritage Vines Zinfandel vineyard, first planted in 1890, is a unique mix of 18 inter-planted grape varieties. We carry forward the ancient field blend tradition by sustaining this complex, historic planting and co-fermenting the varieties. The wine is blended as the grapes are picked. All vineyard work is done by hand, and each vine gets individualized attention. The extra effort is rewarded each year when we taste this distinctive and elegant wine.

January’s warm weather caused the vines to bud early. Spring rains replenished the soil, and we enjoyed moderate weather through the season. Harvest was a month earlier than usual. Fermentation began with native yeasts and finished with a Rhone isolate that highlights ripe fruit and mouthfeel. We aged the wine in French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels (from 8 different coopers) carefully selected to further enhance the wine’s aroma, flavors, and mouthfeel. Monthly tasting through the barrels allowed Bill to make vintage-specific changes.

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