Winemaker Notes
The Zinfandel opens with bold aromas of blackberry jam, red cherries, and white pepper spice, while the palate features black plum and dried herbs balanced by the influence of Fusion barrel oak, where savory notes from American oak, sweet spice from Hungarian oak, and a smooth finish from French oak come together in harmony, creating a memorable tasting experience, and it pairs beautifully with barbecued pork ribs with a dry spice rub and cornbread, as the smoky meat and sweet-tart flavors enhance the wine’s ripe fruit and peppery notes.
Blend: 85% Zinfandel, 15% Mixed Blacks
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Gorgeous raspberry and blackberry aromas lead to ripe, friendly, black-fruit flavors in this smooth, full-bodied wine. Chocolate, grape jam, vanilla bean and creme de cassis flood the palate. Light tannins.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.