BIG – Yes, this is a big wine, you know, big as in like “The Caboose”
Starry Night Winery began with a group of friends making wine in a basement for their own enjoyment, but has slowly grown into a medium sized winery focused on producing small lots of wine from vineyards all over the North Coast. This model allows them to seek out truly distinctive vineyards resulting in unique wines that show the diversity of Northern California’s wine regions. We are delighted to offer another Zinfandel from Starry Night. For those that purchased the 2006 Russian River Zinfandel last year, this one that shows how different Zinfandel can be depending on the climate in which it grows. Today’s wine is from the warmer 2007 vintage, and from Alexander Valley, which is warmer in general than the Russian River Valley. Both of these factors contribute to a wine that is richer and fuller, with exuberant fruit flavors.
The 2007 Starry Night “Caboose” Zinfandel, named for the actual caboose that sits in this hillside vineyard in the Alexander Valley appellation shows all the characteristics of a ripe, heady California Zin. Medium garnet in color, aromas of cherry, cassis, vanilla, blueberry and toffee leap from the glass. The palate is loaded with black pepper, cherry, blackberry, tobacco and cedar. This is an interesting wine because it is both ripe and lush, yet also rustic, with prominent tannins and a certain Old World charm about it. Just enough acidity serves to keep the relatively high alcohol in balance, resulting in a warm but pleasing finish. This wine would pair beautifully with difficult to pair dishes that are somewhere in between rich and light, like grilled chicken with barbecue sauce, or turkey smoked in a slow cooker. A perfect wine to have around during the summer when outdoor cooking makes wine pairing a challenge!
Composition: 100% Alexander Valley Zinfandel
Cooperage: Combination of American and French oak barrels
Harvest Date: September 3, 2007
Sugar at Harvest: 27.7º brix
pH: 3.85
TA: .504 g/100ml
Alcohol: 16.3%
Production: 210 cases
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.
Inky, plush, and cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
91 Points
Shimmering ruby-purple hue. The nose is a walk through a damp Sonoma forest—mossy bark and wild earth—brightened by high-toned notes of cranberry sauce and blood orange. On the palate, it's generously long in the mouth, with good concentration. It's a masterclass in tension: intense, cherry and red current fruit meets dark spice and fine, sandy tannins.
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.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
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.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
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.
New Release
A ferociously fun Napa Valley blend with depth, balance and big flavor. Aromas of red currant, fresh strawberries, black plum, vanilla, and notes of cocoa on the nose. The palate is bursting with fruit ranging from cherries, mixed berry compote, toasted hazelnut and more. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
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