92 Points, Gold Medal - Consumer Wine Awards at Lodi
Double Gold - Tasters Guild Consumer Wine Awards
Gold Medal - NextGen Millennail Wine Competition
R&B Cellars has grown over the last few years to be one of the largest wineries in the East Bay (although that isn't saying that much, as this is an area known for micro-wineries, not big producers), but the great thing is that growth has come from an increase in value-priced wines without a decrease in quality. From their lowest price point to their highest, R&B continues to make stellar wines. Today's offering features a wine that gets all the treatment of a high-end wine, including 100% new French oak, but at a very reasonable $30. And when you take 20% off thanks to WineHeist, this is a great value in Napa Valley Zinfandel.
The 2009 R&B Cellars Zydeco Zinfandel is sourced from the Bingham Ranch in Napa Valley, where the Zinfandel vines are nearing 30 years in age, resulting in wonderfully complex and concentrated wine. Deep garnet in color with a nose that screams Zinfandel, and is bursting with blackberry, raspberry, and cherry aromas, accompanied by notes of earth and clove. The palate is all blackberry jam at first, with dark chocolate, cherry, tobacco, and vanilla developing as it lingers. Rich with a silky texture, this Zinfandel is able to be powerful without becoming heavy, with enough acidity to allow it to pair with a variety of foods. Lamb stew or pork ragù would be perfect. As the rain starts and the weather turns cold here at the end of Harvest in Sonoma County, we can't wait to sit down with a bottle of this Zin to try to keep warm!
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. Like the dynamic Zydeco music for which it is named, this wine will get your taste buds dancing!
Vineyards: Bingham Ranch, Napa Valley
Composition: 95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah
Harvested: October 2009
Bottled: September 2011
Released: October 2011
Production: 500 Cases
Cooperage: Aged 18 months in 100% French Oak, 8 coopers – Jarnac, Rousseau, St. Martin, Boutes, Vicard, Seguin Moreau, Treuil, Radoux
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
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