2014 A-Block™ Zinfandel Alegría Vineyards

2014 A-Block™ Zinfandel Alegría Vineyards

91 points - The International Wine Review

Tasting Notes

This preview of our A-Block Zin offers a glimpse of the wine’s depth and beauty. Inviting aromatics of ripe wild blackberry and dark plum are woven with threads of spice. A delicious blend of dark juicy berries and ripe cherry mingle with black pepper, anise, and cocoa. Youthful tannins and oak, which will integrate and mellow with time, provide a robust component to the Zin. At the finish, a lovely bright fruit essence and hints of Mexican chocolate remain on the palate.

Though wonderful in its youth, we also recommend additional bottle aging. If consumed now, decant for 30-60 minutes.

Winemaker's Notes

The A-Block is a special 1.5-acre part of Alegría Vineyards re-planted in 1987, before we purchased the property in 1990. That year, Bill trellised and trained the vines; we harvested the first crop and made wine. We were impressed by the wine’s intense flavors and enjoyed it for many years.

Starting in 1991, grapes from A-Block were harvested along with our older Zin blocks and sold to Ridge and Rosenblum. Starting in 1997, they became part of ACORN’s signature Heritage Vines field blend Zinfandel.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of that first harvest, we created this limited edition wine from A-Block grapes. The wine is 96% Zinfandel, co-fermented with Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet using native and D254 Rhone yeast.

In 2014, rain in February, March, and April brought season totals close to normal, but the lack of rain in December and January caused the vines to start growing earlier than usual. Cool weather at bloom reduced yield. The mild summer weather, with warm days and cold nights produced, perfect ripening.

Click here to download a printable Fact Sheet PDF

AppellationRussian River Valley
Sonoma County
VarietalA field blend of
98% Zinfandel,
1% Petite Sirah
1% Alicante Bouschet.
Alcohol14.50%
Bottle750ml
Cases99
ph Level3.68
TA5.9g/L