Winemaker Notes
Bright cherry red, with beautiful red fruit notes of raspberry and black cherry, blending with more floral notes of lavender and violets. Palate has initial entry of black cherry and raspberry fruit, followed by spice notes of thyme and rosemary, minerals, and white pepper. Crisp acidity and a lovely velvety texture. Ends with a long persistent finish of raspberry and black cherry fruit.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Appealingly old-school, with vibrant and briary raspberry, toasted anise and cracked pepper flavors that end on a vibrant note. Drink now through 2024.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Zinfandel Florence Vineyard displays notes of baked cherries, dried mulberries, prunes and baking spices with dried lavender and dusty soil scents in the background. Medium to full-bodied, understated, elegant and refreshing in the mouth, it has beautifully soft tannins and a good long, spicy finish.
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.