“To the eye, dark red with purple highlights, in the nose, a mix of ripe plums, musky spice, cacao, and some familiar but elusive green herb. Generous in the mouth with spice, oak, ripe red and black fruits, this fine example of Sonoma Valley Zin, finishes with both chewy tannins and jammy fruit.”

I blended my 2012 zinfandel with fruit from both Wellington Estate vineyard and George Meek’s Sonoma Mountain vineyard, with a dollop of petite sirah from Dick Handal’s Alexander Valley vineyard. Both zinfandels showed great raspberry fruit, with characteristic cocoa and bayberry spice. The ‘pets’ added color, tannin, mid-palate richness and an elusive rose-petal perfume. Oak, while not dominant completes the palate with texture, butter-scotch, vanilla, and a pleasing toasty finish.

Enjoyable now, the structure and balance of this fine zinfandel offer potential for 5-10 years of additional age.

David Noyes - May 2014