Rancho San Miguel
2008 Old Vine Zinfandel
Starr Road, Russian River Valley

Gold Medal - 2011 Orange County Wine Society Competition
Top 10 Zinfandel - ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers)

One of the most interesting things about living in Sonoma County is that you are completely immersed in an area with a long history of wine production, and you are constantly discovering new things about that history.  There is a Zinfandel vineyard on Starr Road that we frequently drive past, and although the vines are clearly old, it wasn't until we tasted this wine and started to research it that we found out that this vineyard was planted in the 1920s.  There is something about old vine Zinfandel that really is remarkable, they tend to produce massively concentrated wines (because of the very low yields), yet remain in balance. Whatever the reason, the result is a stunning red wine.

The 2008 Rancho San Miguel Zinfandel, sourced from old vines on Starr Road near Windsor in the Russian River Valley is deep ruby in color.  The nose shows a stunning array of fruit flavors like black cherry, raspberry, and jammy blackberry, along with notes of vanilla and potpourri.  The palate is rich and full, with berry and cherry flavors accompanied by classic Zinfandel spice.  Although the wine clocks in with higher alcohol, it's nicely integrated, has lovely smooth tannins, a long, and a silky smooth finish.  The result is an incredibly intense, full-bodied wine that still remains in balance.  This one is sure to please the palate.

Varietal:  Zinfandel
Vineyard:  Starr Road Vineyard
Appellation:  Russian River Valley
Alcohol:  16.4%
Production:  450 Cases

About The Winery...

The name Rancho San Miguel Winery came about on a sunny July afternoon.  As winemakers often do,  Gus Gamba and Michael Adair were discussing how the grapes were growing and the progress of the season.  Gus asked about the progress of Michael's attempts to find a good name for the winery.  Believe it or not, finding a good winery name is pretty difficult.  Michael told him that he really wanted to incorporate his family name.  Gus then asked Michael what his patron saint was.  When he told him St. Michael, they soon remembered that the largest land grant in California was the Rancho San Miguel. That was it. They had just come up with the name of the winery and have been making great wines together ever since.

Learn more at www.rsmwinery.com.

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