Winemaker Notes
The remarkable fruit from the gnarly old vines at Monte Rosso Vineyard enabled us to make a truly distinctive Zinfandel. The nose opens with the classic profile of Monte Rosso Zinfandel: deep layers of fresh black raspberry, overlaid with notes of red currant and blackberry, and a bare hint of cracked pepper. Stay with the glass for a moment, and you will begin to uncover a rich aroma of dark chocolate. On the palate you will find more fresh fruit—look for brambleberry and tart Rainier cherry. The tannins are big and ripe, especially for an old-vine Zinfandel. The fruit characters persist on to the finish, where they are joined by cocoa, vanilla, and warm baking spices. Overall, this wine is beautifully balanced and designed to age.
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
He and his wife, Alis, founded Arrowood Winery with the 1985 vintage. Each year, they made extraordinary small-lot varietals and vineyard designates. Richard was the winemaster at Arrowood Winery until June 2010, when he resigned his position to devote himself full-time to making wines for his estate winery, Amapola Creek Vineyards and Winery.
Covering the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, facing the city of Sonoma, Moon Mountain District is one of Sonoma’s newest sub-appellations. Here the well-drained, red volcanic and ash soils produce hauntingly intense red wines, mainly from Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties.
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.