Double Gold - Tasters Guild International Consumer Judging, 2011
As we approach our two year anniversary at WineHeist, one of the things that pleases us the most is the relationships we have built up with certain wineries that consistently over-deliver on quality for the price. A great example of such a winery is our friends at R&B Cellars, which is producing some of the finest reasonably priced full-bodied red wines in the state. Today’s offering is another great example; the 2008 Zydeco Zinfandel, sourced from prime Napa real estate and aged in 100% new French oak at the staggering price of $22.40.
Medium ruby in color, the 2008 R&B Cellars Zydeco Napa Valley Zinfandel offers classic Zin aromas of cherry, blackberry, and strawberry jam. The palate shows juicy, almost candied fruit flavors, with hints of spice and vanilla. Medium bodied, with a rich, syrupy finish, this is perfect grilling wine, screaming out for red meat. This an unapologetically brash wine, with massive extraction and 100% new oak, and is certain to please fans of good old-fashioned tooth-staining California Zinfandel!
Vineyards
Bingham Ranch is one of the oldest vineyards in the Napa Valley. It has been in the same family since the mid 1800's, homesteading times, and was planted with vineyards in the 1950's. The zinfandel was planted in the 1980's, and is on the northern edge of the ranch. It is a small berry clone that benefits from extended hang time for optimal ripeness.
The Wine
Harvested in late October, the zinfandel from Bingham ranch was perfect. Fruit was hand sorted, and then crushed and de-stemmed into three-quarter ton macro bins. A three-day cold soak was done before fermentation. Hand punched down twice a day during fermentation and then gently pressed off and put into 100% French oak barrels. The wine was racked four times while aging in barrels, and then lightly filtered for bottling.
Winemaker's Comments
Typical of a Napa zinfandel, the Bingham Ranch zinfandel is dark, rich, and intense. Blackberries and dark black cherries are the predominant fruits in this rich, extracted wine. The French oak is the perfect compliment to the fruit, adding hints of chocolate and toasty vanilla tones in the finish. The wine starts with an initial explosion of black fruit, and then opens layer upon layer of rich fruit and spice, to a long and mouth filling finish.
Vineyards: Bingham Ranch, Napa Valley
Composition: 95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah
Harvested: October 2008
Bottled: August 2010
Released: Late Fall 2010
Production: 325 Cases
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 8 coopers – Jarnac, Rousseau, St., Martin, Boutes, Vicard, Seguin, Moreau, Treuil, Radoux, 100% new
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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