94 Points - Gold - Exceptional, Tasting.com
92 Points - Wine & Spirits - Best Buy
90 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Pairs beautifully with a wide array of dishes, such as sausage pizza, grilled shish-kabobs or roasted rack of lamb.
Vintage: The 2017 vintage had high rain fall at the beginning of the season, a mild winter, transitioning into a beautiful spring. There was an early bud break and flowering, followed by sunny days and high temperatures through June and August.
Vineyard: Their 34-acre vineyard above Calistoga is the warmest of the five vineyards and the sole source of our Zinfandel. Its northeast exposure catches abundant morning sun but is shaded from the hot, late afternoon sun and combined with the vineyard’s gravelly loam soils, creates the perfect spot to grow this varietal. They farm all of their vineyards naturally, without artificial pesticides or herbicides, and they are certified organic.
Winemaker's Notes:
Alcohol: 14.7%
Fermentation: indigenous yeast
Harvest date: Sept 21-30, 2017
Sugar: 24% degrees Brix at Harvest
Bottling date: April 2019
Release Date: September 2019
Total acid: 6.3 g/L
pH: 3.82
Time in oak: 18 months
Type of oak: French oak
Blend: 100% Zinfandel
90 Points
Richly viscous and voluptuous with dried cherry and plum fruitiness that intermingle along side baking spice, oak, hints of lavender, black pepper, and star anise. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay of vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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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