Winemaker Notes
In 2005, a cold, wet spring delayed the start of the growing season, as well as harvest, by two weeks. Fortunately, unusually warm weather in early October ripened the fruit, and we picked on November 1. Each parcel fermented on its own yeasts in a separate small tank. Color and tannin developed rapidly; we pressed in six days to avoid over-extraction. The natural malolactic finished in record time, allowing us to combine the best lots and rack them to air-dried American Oak barrels for aging.
The 2005 Pagani is lush, sensual, and elegant. It will develop further over the next five or six years.
"There have been a number of noteworthy Zinfandel bottlings from this outstanding Sonoma site, but, other than those from the hand of Paul Draper, we can recall few that have shown the degree of depth and sheer fruity precision of this lively young wine. Its concentration and richness come without worrisome heat, and, while never less than fully ripe, it remains balanced and remarkably light on its feet. It has the feel of a wine that is destined for better with time, and, however delicious it is at the present time, it should continue to unfold and evolve for a good many years."
-Connoisseurs' Guide
Professional Ratings
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.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.