Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard gives up notes of baked plums and blueberry compote with touches of black raspberries, fallen leaves and spice box plus touches of unsmoked cigars and garrigue. Full-bodied and packing tons of spicy red berry preserves and earthy layers, it has a firm frame of chewy tannins and great freshness, finishing long.
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.