2019 The Sailor + The Cow Zinfandel

VINIFICATION NOTES: Fruit for this wine was picked from four blocks of Lily Hill Vineyard after a lovely, extended growing season. Blocks 4 and 7 were picked on September 27th, a separate zinfandel block hand picked on October 10th, and the syrah block picked on October 21st. The wines received two pump-overs daily in closed-top tanks during fermentation and were left on skins for an average of 27 days. After fermentation, the wine was barreled-down into a combination of 95% French and 5% Hungarian oak barrels for 22 months, with 20% new oak overall.

VINEYARD NOTES: Lily Hill Vineyard has become synonymous with zinfandels of elegance and substance. From the first plantings in 1915 to the blocks planted in 2001, this majestic hillside vineyard benefits from cooler nights and warmer days. Named after Captain Staehr who was caretaker to this incredible property, The Sailor + The Cow honors Lily Hill’s legacy. It intentionally combines the rustic hillside zinfandel fruit with Lily Hill’s syrah which offers incredible depth and structure.

SENSORY NOTES: An elegant and powerful nose of wild raspberry, Chambord, minerality and secondary aromas of eucalyptus and dusty earth offer a welcoming entry for the 2019 The Sailor + The Cow zinfandel. Both red and blue fruits lead to lots of structure, aided by the 17% syrah. Chewy, structured tannins are beautifully matched with bright acidity and an incredibly long finish that welcomes itself as a food pairing.

CELLAR RECOMMENDATION: Enjoy through 2030.