Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel 2000

These older (and some younger) low production vines that make up the Teldeschi wine from Ravenswood are a mix of Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah. This melange is typical of the older plantings in California that use the different nature of each grape to elicit the best wine from the specific conditions of a particular growing region, while also allowing for flexibility in a vintage. The majority grape, Zinfandel, provides a thick ripe cherry berry character, while the Carignane provides bright raspberry flavors and balancing acidity. The Petite Sirah provides deep color, pepper spice and firm tannins. Small open-top fermenters, the use of native yeast fermentation, manual punching down of the "cap", minimal processing, and aging in small French oak cooperage all contribute to a style that brings out the best in the vineyard. The three varieties are fermented separately and blended to taste to produce the best wine possible from the vineyard in each year. The resulting wine is a Dry Creek classic, with its deep, almost blue black color and an aroma that exhibits the regional character of vanilla and ripe cherries. There are also the added complexities of red raspberries and black pepper. The impression of roundness, fullness, and sweet fruit are well balanced by refreshing acidity and smooth ripe tannins in the mouth. The full, multi-layered flavors linger long in the finish. This will be a wine that will please when it is young, but will please greatly when it is 7 to 10 years in the bottle, thus making it the perfect synthesis of tradition, hard work, excellent grape production, superior microclimate and dedicated winemaking.