2019 Maffei Vineyard Zinfandel

WINEMAKER NOTES

Old vines provide layers of ethereal flavors, but also tend to retain high fruit acidity. We waited to harvest these old vines until October 10, with the warmer vintage, at the point that acidity was in balance. Clusters are hand sorted, berries destemmed, and fermentation allowed to spontaneously begin with native yeast. High ripeness led to a lengthy fermentation on skins and yielded a rich, dark ruby wine we aged in a mix of French and American oak for 16 months with 25% new.

VINEYARD NOTES

The Maffei Vineyard located on Olivet Road in the Russian River Valley is a historic site showcasing old vine Zinfandel. Registered by the Historic Vineyard Society, the gnarly head-trained vines were planted in 1928 by Umberto and Maria Maffei. Now, three generations later, their granddaughter Joanne Maffei manages these vines which continue to produce world-class grapes.

TASTING NOTES

The Maffei Vineyard Zinfandel embraces with a spray of fragrances of black cherry, elderberry, and baking spices. The elegant, rich fruit persists through to the palate with high-tone blackberry, baked fruit and the hint of tobacco. This is a big, bold, and well-integrated Zinfandel that showcases harmonious acid and strong tannins.