Winemaker Notes
Take a sip and you will find bright red fruit underscored with light caramelized sugar. The acidity is crisp and lends to the intensity of the fruit, which quickly opens into characters of summer blackberry and juicy plums. The tannins are rich and full, and carry the palate through to a finish brimming with toasty vanilla and red licorice.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard is slightly less potent (15.5%), but production is about the same (670 cases). Dense opaque purple, with a big, sweet blackberry and cassis nose of camphor, roasted meats and hints Provençal herbs and pepper, this rich, full-bodied, inky Zinfandel should drink nicely for at least a decade as well.
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.
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.