Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
For the third year in a row, Adrian Manspeaker and Micah Wirth's zin from Grist Vineyard is a spellbinding wine. Planted in 1974, this hillside vineyard isn't old in the context of California zin, but the vines are mature enough to translate the site's iron-rich volcanic soil into zinfandel with remarkable purity and sheer exuberance. Its red plum and floral white peach flavors are so immediate and succulent, you might worry that the wine is going to drip down your chin. There's a lacy transparency here that's extraordinary, the tannins structuring the wine without dominating it, somewhere between peach fuzz, and fine gravel. The subtle redwood scent seems to catch the vineyard's hillside environs. It's a beautiful zesty California original. Pour it blind for Europhile friends who claim to dislike zin, and watch their faces light up.
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.