2008 Zinfandel, Sonoma County

PRODUCTION NOTES
This wine comes from two of the most exciting Zin vineyards in Sonoma County: Windsor Oaks and Monte Rosso. The warm 2008 summer meant hand harvesting both vineyards in early September. Both vineyards were handled the same way at the winery; the fruit was crushed leaving about 20% whole berries and transfered to small macro bin for fermentation and extraction. After a three days of cold-soaking, the juice was inoculated with RP15, the infamous Rockpile ,yeast strain. During the extraction period that followed the fermentation caps were punch-downs five times per day and then pressed at dryness.

WINEMAKER COMMENTS
The original blend on the 2007 was 50/50 Windsor Oaks and Monte Rosso, but the 2008 versions were so robust that we blended it back to 70% Windsor Oaks and 30% Monte Rosso. This way the strawberry and raspberry fruits are in the forefront, while the luscious chocolate and peppery spice dance on the back of the palate.

This full-bodied, rich zinfandel exhibits ripe blackberry, plum and cherry notes that emphasize the vanilla and toasted nut flavors.

Appellation - Sonoma County
Composition - 100% Zinfandel
Alcohol - 15.6%
pH - 3.6
TA - 0.66g/100ml
Barrels - 50% French oak, 50% American oak; 100% New
Cases Produced - 463 Cases
Release Date - April 24, 2010