91 Points - International Wine Review
We have featured Willowbrook Wines many times in the past on WineHeist, and have consider them one of our finest sources of Sonoma Pinot Noir and Syrah, so it was no surprise to find their Zinfandel begging us for more. We were truly delight as we tasted the wine, as Willowbrook’s deft touch with Pinot and Syrah clearly carries over to Zinfandel as well.
The 2012 Willowbrook Pagnano Zinfandel, from a tiny vineyard just west of Santa Rosa, is brilliant ruby in color. The nose shows zinfandel’s typical mix of jammy berry aromas, along with notes of mint and earth. The palate shows plenty of sweet berry, but with complexity coming from notes of cherry, white pepper, and a hint of smoke. Vibrant acidity and round tannin contribute structure to the wine, and the finish is lush and bright at the same time. This wine shows that just because a wine is big, doesn’t mean it can’t be balanced, the hallmark of a great Zin.
APPELLATION: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
COMPOSITION: 100% Zinfandel
AGING: French Oak barrels
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PRODUCTION: 140 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.
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.
