Kenwood Zinfandel 2003
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Our Sonoma County Zinfandel is blended from vineyards located in Sonoma County's best Zinfandel appellations, the Sonoma and Dry Creek Valleys. A portion of the blend comes from old-vine vineyards that have been producing excellent grapes since the 1940s.
The 2003 growing season was characterized by excellent weather and low yields. In the fall there was a warm Indian summer that helped to intensify the distinctive jammy aroma of the wine. Harvested in mid-September to October each vineyard lot was then fermented separately in stainless steel and aged individually in American and French oak barrels for 19 months. Just prior to bottling, the lots were blended to create a wine with intense blackberry flavors and delightful spicy notes. The 2003 vintage of Sonoma County Zinfandel is ready to drink now, but should continue to improve for another decade.
Located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley, Kenwood Vineyards is dedicated to producing premium wines truly representative of Sonoma County’s world-class vineyards.
Kenwood Vineyards was established in 1970 in the former Pagani Brothers Winery, a historic cellar dating back to 1906. Thoroughly refurbished and modernized, the facility now boasts more than 125 stainless steel fermenting tanks and large oak uprights, and 20,000 small French and American oak barrels, all devoted to Kenwood Vineyards’ “small lot” style of winemaking.
In addition to the 22-acre vineyard surrounding the winery, Kenwood Vineyards sources grapes from dozens of vineyards – many farmed sustainably, using natural soil amendments and pest controls whenever possible rather than chemicals - in Sonoma County’s best appellations, including Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Mountain. Each lot from each vineyard is kept separate throughout the winemaking process, enabling the winemaker to bring it to its fullest potential. This “small lot” or “cuvee” style of winemaking also enables the winemaker to draw on an exceptionally broad “palette” to assemble wines that showcase classic character, subtle complexity and superb balance. As a result, every Kenwood Vineyards wine – whether Table Wine Series, Sonoma Series, Reserve, Jack London Vineyard or Artist Series – is consistent in quality and consistently delicious.