Winemaker Notes
Aromas and flavors of baked raspberries, Bing cherry, and mulberries are balanced by notes of cracked peppercorn, vanilla bean and the historic vineyard’s hallmark overtones of spice and dusty earth. Rich and concentrated, this wine showcases a vibrant line of acidity that follows through in the long, silky finish.
Blend: 100% Zinfandel
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Gnarly Vine Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked blueberries, kirsch and raspberry pie scents followed by suggestions of cracked black pepper, cloves and star anise with a waft of tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with red and black berry preserves, framed by chewy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and spicy.
-
Wine Enthusiast
This is an undeniably powerful, concentrated and intensely flavorful wine accented by leather and oak tones. Black fruit, coffee, licorice and baked fig provide a succulent core of richness and offer impressive length.
-
Wine Spectator
Offers expressive raspberry, orange peel and licorice aromas, which open to wild berry flavors that build structure on the finish. Drink now through 2029.
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.
Covering the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, facing the city of Sonoma, Moon Mountain District is one of Sonoma’s newest sub-appellations. Here the well-drained, red volcanic and ash soils produce hauntingly intense red wines, mainly from Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties.