Oliver Caldwell Cellars Aida Vineyard Zinfandel 1998 Front Label
Oliver Caldwell Cellars Aida Vineyard Zinfandel 1998 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

The 1998 Zinfandel is a big, luscious wine, the likes of which is rare either in Napa or Sonoma counties. The wine is deep red briary with a spicy nose which gives the impression of richness, with just a slight topnote of chocolate in the back. The taste in the middle is very full, and not for the timid. Big tannis play out in the finish, which carries a late harvest fruit style, but the structure is very rich and meaty. The Zinfandel can age for many years (unlike most Zins) and has just the right amount of French oak to broaden the flavor profile.
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Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

LSB43347_1998 Item# 43347