Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Dante Dusi Zinfandel is glistening garnet in color. Earthy and herbaceous on the nose, this Zinfandel jumps straight into deep dark fruit upon opening. Its mid palette is lush with blackberry and plum. Layers of minerals, dark chocolate, toast and spice makes for a fascinating and exciting vintage.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A Zinfandel of character, displaying ripe red fruits moving into prunes on the nose, plus a hefty dose of baking spices. The palate confirms the ripe red fruits and a full spice rack of seasoning. The depth and concentration of the fruit, fresh acidity and a lengthy finish point to a quality Zinfandel in the glass.
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Vinous
The 2021 Zinfandel Dante Dusi lights up the senses with a brilliant blend of peppery rose, raspberry and blood orange. This is creamy and rich upon entry, contrasted by a core of zesty acidity and tart wild berry fruits that cascade throughout. This finishes lightly structured, with a measured sweetness as citrus and wild blueberry hints slowly fade.
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.
Pacific ocean breezes enter through the gap for which it is named. The Templeton Gap District is characterized by cooler days and nights and is made of broad alluvial terraces with vineyards at elevations of 700 to 1,800 feet.