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What We Say 2007 Brsada Vineyard Zinfandel
QPR ALERT:
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Mission Codename: Northern Exposure
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Send Agent Red back to to Z-52 Wines, where prolific winemaker, Philip Zorn, crafts Operative-favorite Zinfandel. If the wine proves to be incredible, procure an ample allotment for our Zin-loving Operatives
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Z-52 Winery
Wine Subject: 2007 Zinfandel Brsada Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Winemaker: Philip Zorn
Backgrounder: The Sonoma Valley AVA is one of the oldest wine growing regions in California with the first vines being planted in the early 1800s. The AVA is located along California Route 12 and its eastern boundary are the southern end of the Mayacamas mountains. The unique micro-climate with less rainfall and fog than other parts of the region along with its unique soil provides ideal growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and especially Zinfandel.
Varietal Backgrounder: Zinfandel is related to the Italian Primitivo grape, tracing its origin to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kastelanski. Zinfandel is one of the most versatile varietals with the ability to make wines, both rich to fruity, dark to light, and dry to sweet. Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley, where this Zinfandel’s grapes are are grown are characterized by their balanced flavors, are gaining in popularity with our Operatives.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep and dark ruby red with garnet edges. The clear core is a darker ruby. When swirled, this wine leaves tall, skinny legs that move swiftly down the glass.
Smell – Lush candied blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and soft oak lead to earthen bramble, dusty summertime vineyard row, dark dried flower and a savory herbal component.
Feel – Smooth and soft on entry, this wine becomes mouthcoating and textured, with a softly dry feel. Medium tannins and a soft acidity guide the wine into a long and lingering finish.
Taste – Dark and juicy, with bold black cherry, dark strawberry and dark raspberry out in the front. As the wine moves across the palate, earthen flavors of dried leaves, cocoa dust and savory herbs appear on the mid-palate.
Finish – Very long, with dark fruit eventually giving way to red fruit and the earthen components listed above. At the very end, added flavors appear on the mid-palate, lead by dried leaves and subtle but tasty savory herbs.
Conclusion – The 2007 Z52 Zinfandel Brsada Vineyard, Sonoma Valley is a delicious, robust and inviting wine. This is a savory wine, but the dark fruit certainly shines through. While there is plenty of character here, this wine is not hot or overbearing, like some Cali Zins can tend to be. Decant for 30minutes, and be rewarded with more authentic fruit flavors and a softer finish. Pair with anything from the BBQ!
Mission Report:
With Summer now in full swing, wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties are busily tending to the vineyards. As such, we were unable to secure an interview with the busy Philip Zorn. Please be sure to subscribe to our Daily Dispatch, to stay informed on our next Z-52 sale!
What the Winery Says
Z-52 Cellars
About This Wine:
Hugging a hillside of the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma Valley, the Brsada Vineyard’s thin, rocky soils and northern sun exposure provide and ideal microclimate for Zinfandel. This wine, noted for its great concentration and structure, features layers of wild berry fruit and wonderful spice.
About The Winery:
Three vineyards, four Zinfandels and one shared passion for the pursuit of small lot, single-vineyard wines are the driving force behind one of California’s newest wineries, Z-52 . Seasoned winemaker Philip Zorn and veteran wine executive Brent Shortridge wear all the hats at Z-52, and their dedication to distinctive Zinfandels is evident at every turn.
The heart and soul of this boutique winery, named for the shared “Z” in both Zinfandel and Zorn, (the 52 references the 52 weeks in a vintage year, 52 rows in Agnes’ Vineyard, and 52 cards in a full deck) is its commitment to producing high-end Zinfandels from some of the oldest vineyards in the Lodi and Amador County regions. Z-52 ‘s minimalist approach to winemaking embraces the notion that terroir and its influence on grape character is essential to producing outstanding Zinfandel.
Winemaker Philip Zorn’s Old World training and New World experience ideally complement the production of Zinfandel. The American-born Zorn was raised in Germany and attended the nation’s top school of enology before working for noted producer Weingut Pieroth. Upon returning to the U.S. in the mid-eighties, he distinguished himself as winemaker for a number of California wineries, including Sunny St. Helena, Gauer Estate, Paraiso Springs and Tria. Through this process Zorn developed a keen understanding of winemaking in California, as well as a love of California’s premier wine, Zinfandel. It was this love that would eventually lead him to conceive Z-52 with fellow Zinfandel aficionado Brent Shortridge. Shortridge began his career in wine working with legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff at Buena Vista. He left the winery lab to get into marketing and eventually became vice president of marketing for Buena Vista. He is active in a number of industry associations, including the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP). Z-52’s first wines, the 2001 Agnes’ Vineyard Zinfandel and the 2000 Clockspring Vineyard Zinfandel, made their debut at ZAP in 2004.
Technical Analysis:
Varietals: 100% Zinfandel
Alcohol: 15.0%
TA: .58
pH: 3.71
Oak Cooperage: 14 months in French Oak
