Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Of course, the Martinellis made their reputation with their extraordinary Zinfandels, and the newest of the cuvees is the Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa. The 2005 is a blockbuster, with deep ruby/purple color and a big, sweet nose of ripe figs, strawberry and cherry jam, mincemeat, and peppery spices.
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Wine Spectator
Explosive in its richness, this is superripe, offering layers of blackberry, raspberry, cracked pepper, licorice and smoky, meaty oak. The texture is supple and jammy, yet this is balanced with acidity and has great depth of flavor.
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.