XYZin 50 2010
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Enjoy XYZin 50 with ginger-scented Thai curries, classic Brasserie fare, and glazed or braised meats. The wine will cellar elegantly but will be best enjoyed over the next 2 to 4 years.
XYZin celebrates the pioneering spirit of California grape growing by focusing on the heritage grape Zinfandel. It is a versatile and unique grape with an aura about it that holds the rustic appeal of an easy-drinking informal wine. In crafting the wines, the winemaker works with vineyards of multiple ages, clones and training systems, with vines that range in age from 18 to 100+ years.
Fruit for the Old Vine Zinfandel is sourced from premium lots in Sonoma County, historic Solano plantings, heritage vines in Lodi, and sites in Lake and Mendocino counties where the winery has long term relationships with the growers. The wine offers a spectrum of fruit, spice, and candied flavors typically found in this robust varietal.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.