Winemaker Notes
Medium-dark to dark garnet-ruby. A full pour is nearly opaque. A huge, room-filling bouquet of raspberry cordial, mulberry, blood orange, and star anise. The magic of old-vine Russian River Zinfandel on full display! The full-bodied palate is equally as intense with flavors of amarena, black raspberry, blood orange, and briar. Mouthwatering acidity in the finish ensures the wine stays firmly on the rails.
Blend: 87% Zinfandel, 13% Mixed Black Varieties
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley is one of the highlights in this range from Carlisle. Deceptive in its feel, the Dry Creek Zinfandel packs a ton of flavor and complexity into its mid-weight frame. Blackberry, gravel, licorice, dried herbs and mocha are classic Dry Creek signatures. A dollop (7%) of Petite Sirah rounds out the blend nicely. Vineyard sites are Teldeschi and Mounts.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A dark red color, the 2023 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley is deeper on the nose with mocha, candied flowers, crushed berries, mint, and vanilla bean aromatics. The palate has the most ripeness and richness, a more immediate feel in the range, and a more opulent though well-managed sensation. Drink over the coming 5-7 years.
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Wine Spectator
Brambly and dynamic, with tiers of appealing black cherry, briar patch and green peppercorn accents that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2035.
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.