Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Once again, the 2011 Zinfandel Salvador Vineyard stands out for its distinct personality. Black olives, cedar and licorice are some of the many aromas and flavors that take shape in this surprisingly rich, powerful wine. The Salvador is dark, enveloping and totally vivid in its detail. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021. Range: 90-92
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Wine Spectator
A brooding Zin, with aromas of herbs de Provence and black raspberry, offering dense flavors of ripe black cherry, licorice and smoked spice. The tannins are a bit rustic on the finish. Needs time. Best from 2015 through 2020.
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.
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.