Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with well-marbeled cuts of beef and rich braised dishes like short ribs and osso bucco, strong salty cheeses - Bleu, Pecorino and Feta - as well as tomato based pastas with earthy undertones like mushrooms and truffles.
Blend: 85% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Robust and brawny, this longtime estate wine offers a combination of red and black berry, rich and succulent as if in a crumble, topped in vanilla and pleasing sprinkles of nutmeg and cardamom. Complex and layered, it delivers in flavor and structure.
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Wine Spectator
Dark and brooding, with bold licorice and wild berry aromas and burly, layered flavors of blackberry, smoky cracked pepper and dark Asian spice. The tannins firm up on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2024.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Zinfandel Home Ranch comes from a vineyard originally planted in 1895 by the family’s founder, Eduardo Seghesio. The wine has a dark ruby color, a classic Zinfandel nose of black cherry and briary wild mountain fruit, some spice, earth, medium to full body, and nice dusty, loamy soil undertones. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.
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.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.