Winemaker Notes
The wine is dark black and blue color to the edge, with raspberry, boysenberry, violets, supple tannins and perfect acidity. The wine shows staggering ancient vine concentration with a briary density and silken chewiness with a velour-like texture which is classic Live Oak.
Decant and enjoy the 2015 Live Oak Zinfandel with pan-seared duck accompanied with a fig
reduction sauce or a grilled rib-eye steak.
Blend: 79% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane, and 4% Mataro
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Opulent fruit flavors take center stage in this full-bodied, smooth-textured wine. It practically oozes blackberry and boysenberry in the aroma and also delivers lush, rich berry tones on the palate. The mouthfeel is broad, and the finish lingers.
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 large Northern California appellation centered on the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Francisco Bay AVA falls within the larger Central Coast AVA. The smaller appellations of Livermore Valley, Pacheco Pass, San Ysidro District and Santa Clara Valley AVAs fall within the San Francisco Bay boundaries, and all produce high-quality Central Coast wines.