Winemaker Notes
Varietal Composition: 89% zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 3% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Delicious, mouthfilling flavors of just-crushed blackberries and raspberries give this wine a big presence, while a full body and moderate tannins are firm enough to balance the juicy, boisterous fruit.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Zinfandel Lily Hill Estate is assertive with menthol, licorice, and blue and blackberry fruit. Full-bodied, with black fig, espresso and warming oak spice, this is another bold wine from Bella Vineyards to have alongside the grill.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Zinfandel Lilly Hill Estate has aromas of roasted cherries, apricot and boysenberries with notes of earth, cinnamon and orange peel. Medium to full-bodied, it has a chewy frame and spicy flavors, with good freshness to lift the finish. Give it another year in bottle.
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 multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.