Winemaker Notes
The Novy Russian River Valley Zinfandel is a reflection of the quality of the vineyards selected to comprise this wine. This Zin comes almost exclusively from the Jensen Lane Vineyard (planted in 1915, the Limerick Lane Vineyard (planted in 1910), and the Carlisle Vineyard (planted in 1927). These older vine vineyards contribute exceptional fruit quality and concentration, while their Russian River Valley locations translates to bright, crisp acidity making for a Zinfandel that is both lively and extremely well-balanced. With lively cranberry fruit, this wine smells like the essence of Zinfandel. On the palate, it continues to be a lively wine (great acidity being one of the best attributes of the Russian River Valley), with loads of vibrant fruit, a wonderful mid-palate that fans out on an expansive finish.
Vegan
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Vibrant and jammed with fresh pepper and black licorice aromas, leading to zesty, well-built blackberry pie and cinnamon flavors. Drink now through 2025.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Zinfandel Russian River Valley offers up incredibly evocative notes of baked raspberries, blueberry pie and plum preserves with touches of Indian spices and fruit cake. Full-bodied and packed with plushly textured, spicy fruit, it finishes on a delicious spice cake note. 20,232 cases were made.
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.