91 Points - Wine Spectator
VINEYARD
A premiere Sonoma County vineyard, the Todd Brothers Ranch has been the source of high-end Alexander Valley Zinfandel since 1998. This vineyard produces some of the most complex and flavorful wines in all of Sonoma County. The rocky red-soil slope in Geyserville, located on the northern tip of the valley, produces unusually small, intensely concentrated grapes.
The 60-year-old head-trained vines consistently produce grapes with almost Cabernet-like intensity and structure, yet still possess the characteristic balance and sensuous texture of Zinfandel.
WINEMAKING
Todd Brothers Vineyard is one of their earliest ripening and was picked on the fifth of September. The grapes were trucked to the winery in 1000 lb picking bins and hand-sorted. Fermented using the native yeast on the surface of the grapes which maximizes the flavor, color, and complexity of the grapes. At dryness, the wine was gently pressed into 120 and 60 gallon French oak barrels. During the blending, a small amount of Petite Sirah was added from the Todd Brothers Ranch for additional body, spice, and further depth of flavor.
Vintage: 2019
Varietals: 98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Todd Brothers Ranch
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Time in oak: 16 months in French oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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