91 points & one of the Year's Best US Zinfandels - Wine & Spirits
90 points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
91 points - Purely Domestic Wine Report
Gold Medal - 2018 American Fine Wine Competition
Highly Recommended - Gabe Sasso
The inviting ripe black raspberry nose is layered with traces of ground pepper, toasted oak, black licorice, and fresh-brewed coffee. The rich smooth entry reveals a black cherry, dark plum, and boysenberry core surrounded by threads of mocha, dark chocolate, and a spicy pepper blend.
Our Heritage Vines Zinfandel’s distinctive aromas and flavors come from the interaction of more than 18 grape varieties that are inter-planted in the historic blocks in our Alegría Vineyards. We continue and preserve the field-blend tradition by harvesting and co-fermenting the varieties together.
2015 was a drought year, but certainly not the first drought for our 125-year-old vines. The dry winter got the vines off to an early start. Cold spring weather caused them to set a lighter crop of small berries, which concentrated flavors. Harvest was very early.
Although the weather changes year-to-year, the old vines consistently produce our signature wine with rich flavors balanced with natural acidity—a tribute to the wisdom of the old timers who developed the mix of varieties over the past century.
A three-day cold soak allowed enzymes to extract aroma and flavors before the native yeast was supplemented by a Rhone yeast (D254). Bill’s selection of barrels from diverse forests and coopers added subtle spice notes to the layered grape flavors during 15 months of barrel aging.
Appellation | Russian River Valley Sonoma County |
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Varietal | 78% Zinfandel, 12% Alicante Bouschet, and 8% Petite Sirah. The remaining 2% includes Carignane, Trousseau, Sangiovese, Petit Bouschet, Negrette, Plavac Mali, Syrah, Tannat, Muscat Noir, Peloursin, Béclan, Cinsaut, and Grenache |
Pairing | A pairing of peppered steak with blackberry Zin sauce and a side of creamy au gratin potatoes, or a pumpkin maple baked bean cornbread casserole, will enhance this Zinfandel’s luscious flavors. |
Alcohol | 14.50% |
Bottle | 750ml |
Cases | 280 |
ph Level | 3.67 |
TA | 5.98g/L |