Winemaker Notes
This Russian River Zinfandel is a blend of estate-grown fruit and a handful of old vine sites from around the region. Bottled after 11 months, it is the first glimpse into the 2022 vintage, and Limerick Lane is excited about the potential. It has a bit darker fruit profile when compared with its 2021 predecessor, but still offers a balanced wine that illustrates what they believe to be the quintessential Russian River Valley Zinfandel.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A youthful ripe ruby/magenta color, the 2022 Zinfandel Russian River Valley is classic and inviting on the nose, with loads of sweet mixed berry perfume, candied red flowers, peaches, and herbes de Provence. Medium-bodied and approachable, it has a refined structure, fine tannins, and a juicy feel with a long finish. While It’s charming and tasty now, this is not just a simple quaffer, and it’s not going to slow down much over the next 4-6 years. Drink 2024-2030.
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Vinous
The 2022 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is bright, punchy and super-expressive. Vibrant acids lift a core of ripe, red-toned fruit in this attractive, mid-weight Zinfandel. Rose petal, lavender, orange peel, white flowers and citrus add aromatic presence. The blend is essentially equal-parts estate and purchased fruit.
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.