Ruggedly enigmatic and powerfully built, Zinfandel is the reigning celebrity of Dry Creek Valley. And, like any star, Zin has a challenging, quirky side that demands attention. It ripens very unevenly on the vine and its thin skins can break if overcropped or over irrigated. It's typical to find slightly under ripe, perfectly ripe, and raisin like berries all within the same cluster. 2009, however, was beautifully balanced and even, an exceptional vintage that allowed the Zinfandel clusters to ripen much more uniformly than usual throughout the valley.
Aromas center on brambly fresh blackberry and deep, dark boysenberry. There is an uncommon brightness and vibrancy to the fruit flavors here: dark fleshed plum and blackberry expand on a plump, round mid palate accented by just a pinch of black pepper. Full bodied and bold, the clean, lingering finish exemplifies the quality of the vintage. Enjoyable upon release, this Zinfandel will age nicely through 2016. --Winemakers Note
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