Winemaker Notes
The Limerick Lane Vineyard kicked off the 2017 Novy Zinfandel harvest in late August. This vineyard is typically our first Zinfandel site picked. The Jensen Lane Vineyard followed closely behind, with one section coming in a week before the other. The Carlisle Vineyard was the last to be harvested, in mid-September. The Carlisle Vineyard is located in a slightly cooler part of the Russian River Valley and is planted with a more varied varietal mix. Wines from each of these vineyards were made separately. We then handpicked select barrels from each vineyard for the Russian River Valley Appellation blend. These wines were racked together to create the final blend, going back to barrel (all French oak, about 20% new) and then bottled without fining or filtration in August. The resulting wine is rich and broad, offering aromas and flavors of plum, cherry compote and cinnamon.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and steely in structure, with precise black cherry, anise and pepper flavors that build toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2025.
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.