92 Points, Double Gold - American Fine Wine Competition
91 Points - Robert Parker
Varietal
Zinfandel is a bold, fruit forward red that's loved for its jammy fruit and smoky, exotic spice notes, and has been touted as "America's grape," but its origins are from Croatia and was likely brought to the USA in the early 1800's.
Chiles Valley, Napa Valley
The Chiles Valley is nestled in the Vaca Mountains above the northeast side of the Napa Valley. The appellation has a cooler climate than the main Napa Valley floor due to elevations of 600–1200 feet as well as a cooling breeze from the Pacific Ocean. Classic 'big red' Californian varieties like Zinfandel, have proved very successful at this location.
Winemaking
The grapes for this wine come from old vines, which produce concentrated characteristics in the berries. The grapes were harvested by hand, destemmed and manually sorted. Fermentation lasted 10 days, with 2-3 punchdowns daily by hand. Prior to bottling, the wine was aged in 1/3 Hungarian oak and 2/3 neutral oak barrels for 24 months.
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Chiles Valley, Napa Valley
Aging: 1/3 New Hungarian oak barrels, 2/3 neutral oak, 24 months
Harvest Date: October 4, 2019
Release Date: April 2023
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 293 cases
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.
