Gold Medal - 2015 Orange County Wine Society Competition
It is no secret that prohibition very nearly destroyed the wine industry in California. Vines in some areas took seventy or more years to recover to pre-prohibition levels. For this reason it is always exciting to drink gnarly head pruned Zinfandel from vineyards planted in those days.
Starr Road Vineyard originated in the year of 1920. One wonders what the original growers were thinking, planting just after alcohol had been banned, but whatever their plan, the result is that we have amazing wine coming from vines that are 100 years old.
This Old Vine Russian River Valley Zinfandel is deep ruby in color, with aromas of mixed berries, vanilla, cherry, and toasty oak on the nose. The palate is lush and ripe, with flavors of blueberry, blackberry, plum, and vanilla. There is just a hint of herb, or perhaps tobacco. Spicy, and with good acid to balance out the considerable richness and extraction. This wine pairs nicely with grilled meats, or even solo by the glass. Aged to perfection and ready to impress.
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vineyard: Starr Road Vineyard, planted in 1920
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Aging: 18 months, new and used America and French Oak.
Alcohol: 15.5%
Production: 450 Cases
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Polished and elegantly layered Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah offers red plum and black cherry, with hints of cigar box, forest floor, bay, baking spices, light pepper and vanilla on the nose. Expressive black raspberry, sassafras and smoky pepper flavors that linger with salted dark chocolate, red plum, cherry with notes of pepper on the palate.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Dark berries and black plum aromas and dried violet and maple leap from a glass with layers of dried herbs, tar, smoke and BBQ meat to follow. Blackberry and blueberry compote rule the palate, while leather, grilled herbs, dark chocolate and scorched earth lead to a long, satisfying finish.
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Dark fruit aromas of black raspberry, blackberry and black cherry steer the aromatics backed by baking spices, anise and lavender. A touch of Syrah to add tannin and depth. On the palate, black cherry and blackberry preserve shine through rounded out by herbs de Provence, dark chocolate and vanilla. A gorgeous expressive wine!
