Winemaker Notes
Lively and expressive, the 2021 Aida Estate Zinfandel presents itself as a beautiful jewel in the glass. On the nose, aromatic brambly blackberry, cedar and fresh tobacco leaf are adorned by exotic fragrances of sandalwood, cardamom and ethereal white flowers. Mexican cocoa and blueberry cobbler fill out every inch of the palate which takes on a creamy, almost yogurt-like texture. Offering the best of both worlds, this wine is vibrant and youthful upon release while still being structured for ageablity.
Blend: 85% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Blueberries, wild strawberries, cedary herbs, and candied flower notes all emerge from Vineyard 29's 2021 Zinfandel Aida Estate, a pure, medium to full-bodied, seamless Zinfandel with integrated tannins and a balanced, layered, lengthy style on the palate. I like it today, yet it has another 10-12 years of prime drinking ahead of it.
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Vinous
The 2021 Zinfandel Aida Estate is a potent, heady wine. The more exuberant side of Zinfandel is on display here in a wine that comes across as a sort of blend of Zinfandel and Cabernet, likely because of a dollop of Petite Sirah that adds intensity and darkness. This dark, voluptuous Zinfandel offers tons of appeal. Aging in 500L barrels works beautifully here.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.