Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel 2018
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Dark garnet color and a rich berry nose. Refined and dense with black raspberry and pomegranate; opulent and bright, with good acid structure.
Guided by the family heritage of over six generations of wine grape growing - it is a firm belief at Gamba that wines are made in the vineyard. Every Gamba Zinfandel is an individual expression of the vineyard with each unique vintage.
The limited production, hand crafted wines are a tribute to the art of farming, as much as they are to generations of old world, traditional winemaking. As the few remaining old vine vineyards slowly continue to disappear from the landscape, Gamba holds dear and strives to preserve what is quickly becoming a limited commodity - truly Old Vine Zinfandel.
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.