Winemaker Notes
Blend: 88% Zinfandel, 7% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah, 1% Carignane, 1% Merlot
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Delicious, almost sweet fruit flavors are wrapped in firm, velvety tannins for a seriously enjoyable experience. There’s a feeling of polish in the texture, and careful balance between full body, good tannin structure and lively acidity.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
One of Zinfandel's most consistent players, the 2012 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve is deliciously drinkable; smooth and well behaved when enjoyed as a pre-dinner wine and perfect with grilled pork in a black peppercorn dip; super with medium aged cow's milk cheese.
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 large and diverse appellation within California’s North Coast AVA, Mendocino is home to several smaller sub-regions—most notably the Anderson Valley. This scenic region, with rolling hills covered in redwood forests as well as vineyards, is one of the world’s top producers of certified organically-grown grapes. Due to wide geographical and climatic variation, a vast array of wine styles can be found here.