Gold Medal Winner
- 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Being located in the heart of Sonoma County, we are lucky to get the inside scoop on each vintage as it happens. Although the 2009 harvest was frenzied as always, as soon as it ended winemakers started talking about the potential for 2009 to be a classic year. While it may not be quite on the level of the epic 2007 vintage, as the wines have matured the 2009s have proven to be nearly as good, and perhaps even better for early drinking. After what feels like a long wait, 2009 red wines are starting to cross our desk more frequently, and we couldn’t be happier to see them. And what better way to get warmed up to the 2009 vintage than with our old friend Muscardini Cellars, and their Zinfandel sourced from the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard in the Mayacamas Mountains?
The 2009 Muscardini Monte Rosso Zinfandel is sourced from the red, iron rich soils of the Monte Rosso vineyard high above Sonoma Valley. Medium ruby in color with a purple tinge, the nose is loaded with blue and black berry aromas, along with hints of briar and black olive. The palate is surprisingly elegant for Zinfandel, reflecting the slightly cooler yet sunny vintage, with cherry, blackberry, plum, anise and vanilla flavors. Good acid lengthens the fruit through a long finish. Medium bodied, and with fresh, as opposed to over-ripe, fruit flavors, this is an easy Zin to pair with food, so try something different and pair this classic American wine with a classic American meatloaf, or play it safe and stick to barbecue. Either way, don’t miss out on this one!
Cases Produced: 314
Harvested: September 29, 2009
Bottled: September 2, 2010
pH: 3.56
Alcohol: 15.6
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.
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 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.
92 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
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