When we first discovered Meadowcroft Wines back in 2013, we knew that we’d stumbled upon something quite special. Meadowcroft sources from some of the most respected vineyard sources, which winemaker Petar Kirilov then turns into bottled magic. Today’s 2015 Louvau Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is the winery’s best.

The garnet at the center of this Zinfandel is almost black, with a bright magenta lip at the edge. It’s got a lovely nose with blueberry and blackberry fruit notes, backed by intoxicating floral notes of jasmine, lilac and violets with a subtle smokiness as well. The palate is bursting with flavors of fresh blackberries, black currant, and savory herbs. There’s plenty of baking spice from the barrel and dark chocolate on the finish. It’s exceptionally well balanced for a Dry Creek Zin, while still delivering the big flavor that the region is known for. This Zin would be particularly delicious with some chorizo or al pastor tacos.

Winegrower John Louvau found an ancient block of 100+-year-old Zinfandel grapes, buried beneath the bramble and brush on his Dry Creek Valley ranch… Those grapes inspired Tom Meadowcroft to make today’s delectable Meadowcroft Wines 2015 Louvau Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County Zinfandel. The rest is history, especially once you pour your first aromatic and richly delicious glass. This wine is elegant, bursting with dark fruit flavors - and super fun to drink.

The Louvau Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley AVA was established in the late 1980s. Founder John Louvau believed this vineyard site to be perfect for growing grapes. He was not the first person to think this. As he began to prepare the site for grape growing, John found a block of nearly 100-year-old vines beneath a tangle of raspberry bushes and weeds. The Louvau Vineyard has produced grapes for a select number of wineries, whose offerings from this vineyard have always been considered nothing short of outstanding.

The Dry Creek Valley AVA in north-eastern Sonoma County (north of Healdsburg) is warmer and wetter than the Russian River Valley AVA region just to the south and the Alexander Valley AVA to the east. This warmer, wetter climate provides great versatility with regard to the types of grapes that can be effectively cultivated in the region - but it is Zinfandel that thrives best here.