2018 Riebli Vineyard Zinfandel

VINEYARD NOTES

Planted to a mix of Zinfandel and a few Petite Sirah vines in the late 1800s in the new Fountaingrove District AVA, just 10 mileseast of our winery, the Riebli Valley Vineyard has been farmed using organic methods for over a century. The old vines have dwarfed with age. They benefit from a microclimate of breezy winters and hot summers that, together with native flora, discourage fungal infestations and allow for minimal intervention in the vineyard.

WINEMAKER NOTES

Winemaking is made easy by the small, open-clustered, thick-skinned fruit. The grapes go through native fermentation in open-top vats with hand punchdowns occurring twice a day, after which the must is basket-pressed and barrel-aged 14 months in French oak, 35% new. The juice is cold-soaked, then pressed o, put in barrel, and racked only once prior to bottling.

TASTING NOTES

A dark, deep red in the glass, this Zinfandel opens with dark fruit aromas of blackberry and black cherry with a touch of fresh black pepper. This is a big wine with dense raspberry and blueberry flavors. Full-bodied with balanced acidity and firm tannins, this wine lingers on the palate and has a kiss of violet on the finish.