Winemaker Notes
We have been making the Vine Starr Zinfandel since we first started Broc Cellars and it now stands as one of our most notable wines worldwide. The wine has evolved from our first vintage in 2006 when it was a red blend of Zinfandel and Syrah. In 2009 we were fortunate to source from both Arrowhead and Buckhill Vineyards in Sonoma County which allowed Vine Starr to be 100% Zinfandel. Inspired by the wines from where the Beaujolais and Northern Rhone meet, we harvested early to highlight acidity and fresh fruit. 100% destemmed and fermented in 5-ton stainless steel tanks. Aged for 10 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: I often find myself gravitating to Sonoma County Zinfandels. The 2018 Broc Cellars Vine Starr is a delicious wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine is active, bright, and lively. Its fruit-forward aromas and flavors of red berries stay beautifully on the palate. Pair it with lightly-spiced hamburgers. (Tasted: September 26, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.