2018 Russian River Valley Zinfandel

VINIFICATION NOTES: 2018 was a tremendous growing year that yielded intense fruit with brilliant acidity, structure, and elegance. All fruit was hand-harvested and fermented on skins for an average of 15 days with twice daily pump-overs until dryness and then the wine was tasted daily to determine when enough body had developed to press it off. After the wine was settled in tank, it was barreled down in 90% French and 10% Hungarian barrels (20% New) and allowed to complete secondary fermentation in oak. The wines were aged in oak for 15 months and then bottled in January of 2020.

VINEYARD NOTES: The Big River Ranch property sits on a picturesque benchland above the Russian River. The 14 acres of 110-year old vines showcase what old-vine zinfandel can achieve: limited yields with dark, concentrated fruit. The deep red soils and hot summer days typical of the region create wines full of character and complexity, while early morning fog from the nearby Russian River allows for a longer growing season for these coveted wines.

SENSORY NOTES: Lush, dark berry fruit with vanilla and cinnamon baking spice on the nose reminicent of a freshly baked blackberry cobler. On the palate, this wine opens with bright, juicy fruit flavors leading into a rich and delighful mid-palate expressing plenty of structure to support it. Our Russian River zin ends with a long, gorgeous finish that will only continue to lengthen and broaden with additional bottle age.