La Chertosa
2012 Amador Valley Reserve Zinfandel Fra Paolo
Zinfandel
California: Amador County
Mission Briefing
Generation
Until 2008, the Sebastiani Family had the distinction of being the oldest, continually-operated, family-run winery in California. Indeed, the family has become American wine royalty. With first plantings going back to the 1906 founding of the original winery, Sebastiani is one of the oldest names in wine.
Today, three generations in, Sam Sebastiani is crafting wines that harken farther back in the family’s history - back to their Italian heritage. Sam’s La Chertosa Wines 2012 Amador Valley Reserve Zinfandel Fra Paolo is a wine that is a hommage to the wines of La Chertosa di Farneta, the twelfth century monastery near Lucca, Italy. Amador County, where these modern classic are made, enjoys climate and soil conditions that closely mimic those of the historic winery.
“Bright and smooth with bright blackberry, cherry and spice; subtle oak and hints of vanilla; juicy, fresh and balanced; long and lifted.” - Tasting Panel Magazine - 90 points
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Purple at the edges and garnet at the heart. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | Extra lush, with bold mixed berry, supple leather, dried fall leaves, loamy earth, sweet spice and cigar box. |
| Taste: | Plush and juicy with berry compote, stewed plum and braised fig. These primary flavors are followed by bramble, cocoa dust and dried leaves. |
| Finish: | Long and dark, with dark fruits slowly yielding to balanced earthy flavors. A bit of tannin at the end provides a bit of puckered dryness on the lips and cheeks. |
| Pairing: | This delicious gent of a wine is an elegant companion for all of your spring and summer grilling. |
What the Winery Says
- Varietal Composition
- 80 Zinfandel, 17% Primitivo, 3% Petite Sirah
- Total Acidity
- 5.91g/l
- PH
- 3.71
- VA
- .71g/l
- Malic
- <0.1
- Lactic
- .94g/l
- Residual Sugar
- 2.1
- Alc
- 14.1% ABV
- Vinted and bottled by
- Sam Sebastiani