Winemaker Notes
The 2015 vintage shows aromas of blackberry, raspberry, bramble, cocoa leaf, and wet stones. In the mouth, the wine is opulent with structured, chewy tannins and a long finish with laser-focused acidity. The palate displays flavors of strawberry, black pepper, and blueberry pie crust.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Always a standout wine, the 2015 Limerick Lane Russian River Zinfandel shows an excellent brightness to it. TASTING NOTES: This wine is sturdy, yet it is light on its feet. Its aromas and flavors of red fruit and chalk should pair it well with grilled chicken legs. (Tasted: August 20, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Zinfandel Estate has a super spicy nose with tons of red and black berry preserves notes over hints of raisin cake, powdered cinnamon, sandalwood and unsmoked cigars. The palate is full-bodied with plush tannins and oodles of freshness boosting the rich, spicy fruit, finishing long and earthy.
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Wine Spectator
Dark and brooding, with blueberry and licorice aromas and burly blackberry and cracked pepper flavors that finish on a brambly, tannic note. Best after 2018.
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 standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.