Dry Creek Zinfandel Old Vines

Description

HISTORY First coined by founder David Stare in 1986, the term Old Vine has special meaning to our family winery. Although there is no legal definition, we define an old vine vineyard as having vines that average more than 50 years in age. In the case of our Old Vine Zinfandel, the vines are more than 90 years in age and in some cases, more than 110 years old! Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards remain the most prized and historic of all plantings in the Dry Creek Valley.GROWING SEASON The 2011 season was fraught with many weather related challenges. Our viticulture team however, was up to the task; carefully managing the vineyard and providing us fruit with excellent ripeness levels. Winter rains were plentiful and lasted well into the late spring and early summer. The summer growing season was unseasonably cool. Harvest was temperate and canopy management was a key to achieve optimal ripeness in the grapes. Unwelcome rains came later into harvestfortunately, much of our fruit was already picked and safely at the winery.WINEMAKER COMMENTS This might be the finest vintage of Old Vine Zinfandel we have ever produced. A very cool growing season allowed for a slow, natural ripening process in the vineyard. Sugars were low but ripeness levels were excellent, hence an excellent vintage for Zinfandel. This deeply perfumed wine displays aromas of dark berries and the intrinsic briary spiciness of the old vines. On the palate, the wine is layered and succulent with bright fruit flavors reminiscent of a rich berry pie. A few more tastes reveal a complex spicy undertone which is a hallmark of Old Vine Zinfandel. These low yielding vines preserve the vibrant acidity and balanced tannins leading to a long and persistent finish. – Dry Creek Vineyard