2013 Alexander Valley zinfandel

Wine Enthusiast
“From century-old vines, this wine is potent and focused, with powerful, ripe fruit flavors and a texture that feels polished and precise. The aromas favor black cherry and black pepper, the flavors are fresh and mouthfilling, and the wine has firm acidity and tannins that make the texture appetizing.” 92 Points: Excellent; Highly recommended
-Jim Gordon, February 2017

2013 Barrel 32 zinfandel

Wine Advocate
“Focusing Primarily on Sonoma”
“2013 is an excellent vintage. Sonoma is a treasure trove of fabulous Zinfandel, wonderful Chardonnays and increasing numbers of high-quality Pinot Noirs. All things considered, this is a remarkable era for Northern California. Following a challenging 2011 harvest, 2012 was outstanding and 2013 was world-class in Napa and certainly excellent in Sonoma. That has been followed by 2014, very good in Napa, but slightly superior in Sonoma. Several producers who have made wine for more than three decades said that it might be one of the three or four finest vintages in their respective careers. So fasten your seatbelts and hold on, because the good news just keeps rolling out of Northern California.”
2013 Barrel 32 zinfandel
“The 2013 Zinfandel Barrel 32 is basically a selection of their nine finest barrels. Only 225 cases were produced of this wine, which tips the scales at a relatively modest 14.7% alcohol. The wine is a classic Zinfandel – big, rich, boisterous and effusively fruity, with a dense purple color, a terrific nose of briary blackberry and black cherry fruit, meat and pepper, and silky tannins. The finish of close to 45 seconds only adds to its remarkable appeal. This is a stunner and a classic example of Zinfandel at its best.” 95 Points: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines
-Robert Parker, March 2016

2013 Big River Ranch Block 10 zinfandel

Wine Advocate
“Focusing Primarily on Sonoma”
“2013 is an excellent vintage. Sonoma is a treasure trove of fabulous Zinfandel, wonderful Chardonnays and increasing numbers of high-quality Pinot Noirs. All things considered, this is a remarkable era for Northern California. Following a challenging 2011 harvest, 2012 was outstanding and 2013 was world-class in Napa and certainly excellent in Sonoma. That has been followed by 2014, very good in Napa, but slightly superior in Sonoma. Several producers who have made wine for more than three decades said that it might be one of the three or four finest vintages in their respective careers. So fasten your seatbelts and hold on, because the good news just keeps rolling out of Northern California.”
2013 Big River Ranch Block 10 zinfandel
“A truly gorgeous wine, with a dense purple color and glorious levels of blueberry, blackberry and black raspberry fruit, the wine is an opulent, fleshy, classic Zinfandel. Its purity, texture, full-bodied richness, and pedal-to-the-metal intensity all are impressive. Drink it over the next decade or more.” 94 Points: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines
-Robert Parker, March 2016

Wine Enthusiast
“This beautifully concentrated wine is all-fruit, all the time. It’s appetizing texture is buoyed by firm, fine-grained tannins. It oozes blackberry syrup aromas, and floods the palate with rich grape and cassis flavors that linger a long time on the finish.” 93 Points, Editors’ Choice: Excellent; Highly recommended
-Jim Gordon, February 2017

Vinous
“I was quite impressed with this lineup from Bella Vineyards. These Zinfandels and Zinfandel-based blends pack a serious punch.”
2013 Big River Ranch Block 10 zinfandel
“The 2013 Zinfandel Block 10 is arguably the most intriguing wine in the range. The inclusion of 14% Petite Syrah and the personality of the vintage no doubt contribute to that. Inky blue and purplish fruit, licorice, lavender and violet give the 2013 its super distinctive and appealing personality. 2016 – 2021.” 93 Points: Outstanding. A wine of remarkable personality and breed that is well worth seeking out
-Antonio Galloni, August 2016

2013 Big River Ranch petite sirah

Wine Advocate
“Focusing Primarily on Sonoma”
“It is interesting that across the Mayacamas Mountain Range in Sonoma, 2013 is an excellent vintage. Sonoma is a treasure trove of fabulous Zinfandel, wonderful Chardonnays and increasing numbers of high-quality Pinot Noirs. All things considered, this is a remarkable era for Northern California. Following a challenging 2011 harvest, 2012 was outstanding and 2013 was world-class in Napa and certainly excellent in Sonoma. That has been followed by 2014, very good in Napa, but slightly superior in Sonoma. Several producers who have made wine for more than three decades said that it might be one of the three or four finest vintages in their respective careers. So fasten your seatbelts and hold on, because the good news just keeps rolling out of Northern California.”
2013 Big River Ranch petite sirah
“Bella has produced a 2013 Petite Sirah from Alexander Valley. As one might expect, the color is black and blue as a moonless night. The wine is super-rich, concentrated and dense, with relatively sweet tannins. This is a beauty – pure, impressive and extremely well-balanced for such a young wine from this varietal. Drink it now or 35 years from now.” 93+ Points: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines
-Robert Parker, March 2016

2013 Big River Ranch zinfandel

Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
“Important new Zinfandels from long-time favorite producers such as… Bella are reviewed this month.”
2013 Big River Ranch zinfandel
“Ripe though it may be, this wine comes with notions of polish and class to its distinctly berryish fruit, and its obvious energy and its oaky and lightly foresty overlays all work in harmony and lift the wine to the edge of stardom. Its tannins are fairly formidable and do counter any inclinations that this one is anywhere near ready to drink, yet its combination of depth and varietal focus encourages a bit of cellar time, and we would set it aside for three to six years.” 91 Points: A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable
-Charles Olken, January 2017

2013 Rocky Ridge zinfandel

Wine Advocate
“Focusing Primarily on Sonoma”
“It is interesting that across the Mayacamas Mountain Range in Sonoma, 2013 is an excellent vintage. Sonoma is a treasure trove of fabulous Zinfandel, wonderful Chardonnays and increasing numbers of high-quality Pinot Noirs. All things considered, this is a remarkable era for Northern California. Following a challenging 2011 harvest, 2012 was outstanding and 2013 was world-class in Napa and certainly excellent in Sonoma. That has been followed by 2014, very good in Napa, but slightly superior in Sonoma. Several producers who have made wine for more than three decades said that it might be one of the three or four finest vintages in their respective careers. So fasten your seatbelts and hold on, because the good news just keeps rolling out of Northern California.”
2013 Rocky Ridge zinfandel
“The 2013 Zinfandel Rocky Ridge Vineyard from the Rockpile appellation seems to have a more Châteauneuf du Pape-like character of garrigue with pepper and earth. It does not offer the texture, length and richness of the Block 10 or Barrel 32, but it is still a beautiful wine on its own merits. Much more mineral-laced, spicy and earthy, it should drink well for 7-8 years.” 90 Points: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines
-Robert Parker, March 2016