Winemaker Notes
Shimmering medium-dark garnet-ruby. Soaring, perfumed aromas of kirsch, red licorice whips, brown tobacco, and rusted iron. Quintessential Dry Creek! On the palate, full-bodied with flavors of red cherries, loamy earth and brown spices. A seductive wine of total harmony and balance yet its energy and verve portend of more great things to come. I cannot recall the last time I’ve enjoyed our Dry Creek Zinfandel this much. Just such a pretty wine.
Blend: 61% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Teldeschi Ranch, 32% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Mounts Ranch, 7% Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah, Mounts Ranch
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley is fabulous. Bold, rich and full of character, the 2021 is full of potential. Succulent red cherry, kirsch, menthol, dried herbs and cedar are all beautifully delineated. Elegant and lifted, the 2021 is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Vineyard sources are Teldeschi and Mounts Ranch, with a touch of Petite Sirah, also from Mounts.
Range: 92-94 -
Jeb Dunnuck
A ripe red hue, sanguine and iron-rich mineral aromas lift from the glass of the 2021 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, along with fresh red plum, menthol, and pine. Supple and rounded, it is medium to full-bodied, with pure notes of ripe cherry liqueur, apricot, and mocha, fresh acidity, and a silky texture. Drink 2024-2034.
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Wine Spectator
Dynamic and briary, with energetic cherry, licorice and steely loam accents that gather richness and zestiness toward lively tannins.
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.