A refreshing blend of 80% Montecito Zinfandel, with 15% Wild Oak Petite Sirah and 5% Woolard Malbec to add color, tannins and complexity. This mountain Zinfandel was aged in a mixture of new and older French oak barrels for 19 months. Deep purple color, dark fruit aromas and dark berry and herb flavors with a hint of vanilla and bakery spices make one call for another glass. Favorite pairings include spaghetti squash with pesto, grilled meats, or a spicy Cioppino.
2017 proved to be another exceptional wine from the steep hills above Sonoma Valley. The Zinfandel was hand-harvested on the night of September 20th, with an initial Brix of 24.1 that settled at 25.2 following a 3-day cold soak. Inoculated on September 24th, 8 days fermentation took place with 2 punch-downs per day, followed by pressing on October 1st, and racking to French barrels.
Select clusters of Petit Sirah were hand-picked on October 15th and fermented through pressing on October 25th. Malbec was harvested the night of October 20th, fermented through November 17th and pressed. All wines were aged in new French (35%) and 2-3 year barrels.
Blending trials yielded a wine with both Petite Sirah and Malbec enhancing the Zinfandel once again. Overall the wine saw 19 months in French oak and 6 barrels produced.