Winemaker Notes
Medium-dark to dark garnet-ruby. A totally killer nose of red and black berries, eucalyptus, and a slight suggestion of pepper and lavender. Full-bodied and voluptuous but with nothing out of place. Quite expressive and exotic with flavors of blackberry liqueur, licorice, and spice. This is a great wine no matter what the vintage!
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Zinfandel Montafi Ranch contains 11% mixed black varieties. The vineyard was planted in 1926, mainly to Zinfandel but with nine other varieties (but no white grapes). Aged in 25% new French oak, it has a deep ruby-purple color and Syrah-esque nose of cracked peppercorn, prosciutto, baked blackberries and blackcurrant with blue fruit hints, eucalyptus, sage, dried flowers and exotic spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is silky with restrained fruits, lightly chewy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and nuanced. 390 cases produced.
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 standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.