winemaker's notes:
Aromas of black cherries, spice, violets and cola berry are the most prominent; but raspberries, salted apples, coffee and cedar chest are also layered into the profile. Flavors are full, soft and supple, with good intensity of fruit flavors. The berry and cherry flavors linger on the palate until you taste it again; the tartness of the finish goes from cherries, to stonefruit, to minerality.
The 2006 vintage has a softness on the palate which is a result of the higher PH and lower acidity in the wine; easy to drink young, or will grow more complex with three to five years of cellaring.
"Winemaker Van Williams marches to the beat of his own drum up in Mendocino County. He has turned out a beautiful 2006 Zinfandel that sells for a song. This has got to be one of the better values, and of course, 2006 looks to be a vastly superior vintage to 2005 for Zinfandel. This wine, which has some Petite Sirah, Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache blended in, exhibits deep ruby color and a big, sweet nose of peppery black cherry and raspberry liqueur intermixed with spring flowers and earth. The wine is medium to full-bodied, ripe, and altogether a hedonistic mouthful of big Zinfandel. Drink it over the next 3-4 years."
-Wine Advocate