While Zinfandel has roots in Croatia, it’s best known as California’s signature grape. Zinfandel was planted in California in the early 19th Century. Our 2016 features fruit from Lodi which is one of the state’s up and coming regions for Zinfandel. The remainder of the fruit
hails from Lake County located northwest of Napa County. While predominantly Zinfandel (75%), Petite Sirah was blended in to add more colour along with more white pepper and spicy aromas.
2016 was a prime vintage producing high quality fruit. Overall the season was earlier than average with moderate temperatures which allowed for even ripening and balanced avours. is helped to reach our goal to produce a crisper, fresher style.
We harvested all of the fruit in the cool morning hours from September 17th - October 25th, 2016. Due to an early harvest, the wine has less raisin and more pure Zinfandel flavors.
After harvest, the fruit was cold soaked to enhance the color and flavor while avoiding harsh tannins. Petite Sirah was added to promote more white pepper and spicy notes. It was bottled in August 2017 to preserve the freshness and enhance longevity in the bottle.
Finally, due to this bottling being for Europe, lower alcohol more raspberry fruit style was selected for this wine.
This 2016 Zinfandel is a wonderful deep red colour in the glass. It displays inviting aromas of raspberry preserves, blackberry, and sweet spice. Dark, brambly berry flavors lead on the palate with hints of white pepper, and spice. True to its variety, this Zinfandel has enough
acidity and tannins to frame the delectable fruit. More of a Claret style than a raisiny, overripe wine, the smooth, soft tannins round out the palate for a beautiful, lingering finish.