Winemaker Notes
Blend: 79% Zinfandel, 12% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
-
Wine & Spirits
Joel Peterson has been making wine from the Teldeschi family’s vineyard on the Dry Creek Bench since 1982. This comes from vines planted between 1900 and 1910 on red, iron-rich gravelly loam; it’s mostly zinfandel, though it gains tannic depth and dark color from petite sirah (12 percent) and alicante bouchet (seven percent) and, perhaps, a little spicy complexity from carignan (two percent). There’s delicious suppleness to the fruit, yet its stony tannins hold a cooling mintiness underneath—a sensation that made our panel think about mountain cabernet as much as zin. The astonishing thing about this wine, aside from its structural integrity, is its sheer range of aromas, from the brightness of pomegranate seeds through anise and cassis to the earthy savor of a damp forest floor littered with black trumpet mushrooms. It feels like a great vineyard capturing a great California vintage. Age it for another five years at least.
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 multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.