91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal - TESXOM International Wine Awards
The husband and wife winemaking team of Michael and Anne Dashe founded Dashe cellars in 1996. With experience around the wine world, including at such estates as Lafite-Rothschild, Ridge, and Cloudy Bay (among others), they decided for their own label to focus on Sonoma County Zinfandel. They believe (correctly, in our view) that Sonoma Zinfandel has a rightful place alongside the great wines of the world, and they prove it with each vintage. With a focus on low intervention winemaking and wines that are refined and balanced, they are way ahead of the trend toward lighter wines, especially in the world of Zinfandel where 16% alcohol fruit-bombs led the way in the early 2000s. Make no mistake, this still has all the fruit and richness you would expect from California, but by picking a little earlier Dashe is able to preserve freshness and the result is impeccable balanced wines.
The 2015 Dashe Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is rich black-purple in color, and beautifully packed with aromas of raspberry, black cherry, blended with floral notes of lavender and violet. One of the most balanced and lovely-textured Dry Creek Zinfandels we’ve had recently. Dark chocolate and black pepper spice underlie the velvety, and full mid-palate leaving you with a long, red-fruit finish.
PRODUCTION
2015 was a vintage marked by extremely small yields, so there was almost half the normal quantity of grapes per vine in this year. The result was a particularly intense wine, but very small quantities compared to our normal production.
The wine was fermented using only the natural yeast population on the grapes at Dashe Cellars and the resulting wine shows off the terroir of the vineyards beautifully. The wine was aged for 10 months in older French oak barrels, including 900-gallon French oak casks that allowed the softness of oak aging without adding excessive oak flavors. 4% of Petite Sirah, for structure and aging potential.
Vintage: 2015
Varietal: 96% Zinfandel; 4% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Cooperage: 20% aged in a 900 gallon French oak "foudre"; 80% 1-year or older French oak
Time in oak: 15 months
Alcohol: 14.3%
Release date: September 1, 2017
Optimum time for consumption: 2017-2030
All Wines
Violet black in color with aromas of rich fruity dark berries, honeycomb, vanilla, and hints of forest floor join together with bold flavors of black cherry, and spiced nut. Balanced oak, layered palette, leaving you with a enjoyable persistent finish.
Big & Jammy!
Aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, blackberries, mocha, espresso and hints of black pepper. Incredibly balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and body against a backdrop of structured tannins. The wine unfolds with notes of clove and dried herbs, ending with a long rich finish.
Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint. The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging. The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.
Rich & Tropical...
Notes of tropical and ripe stone fruits, with aromas of fig, golden apple and hints of butterscotch, integrated with the richer aromas of light caramel, truffle and toasted vanilla from the oak aging. The palate and texture is rich, full-bodied and creamy, while maintaining a balanced vibrancy and finish.
