Rombauer Zinfandel

Description

Introduced to California during the Gold Rush, Zinfandel is considered by many to be Americas heritage grape. A tribute to California wine history, this Zinfandel was sourced from some of the states oldest and most revered wine regions, from family-owned vineyards that in some cases date back over 100 years.VINEYARDS This wine blends lots from select vineyards in top growing regions El Dorado 50%, Amador 25%, Lake 14% and Napa 11% counties.WINEGROWING 2015 bought the earliest harvest in our 35-year history. Yields were down overall, but prolonged warm weather resulted in exceptional fruit quality and richly flavored wines. Sustainable farming practices throughout the growing season were tailored to each block with the assistance of aerial photos produced using NDVI Normalized Difference Vegetation Index technology. The fruit was handpicked at night and sorted in the vineyard, then transported by refrigerated trucks to the winery.WINEMAKING The grapes were carefully destemmed and optically sorted to ensure only perfect fruit made it into the wine. A cold soak extracted color and flavor before primary fermentation began in tank. The wine was gently basket pressed, then racked to oak barrels to finish primary fermentation, malolactic fermentation and aging.TASTING NOTES Our classic California Zinfandel is dark purple-ruby, with a bright crimson hue. On the nose, concentrated aromas of blackberry and raspberry meld with clove and spice. Lush flavors of blackberry, cherry, licorice and vanilla flood the palate, followed by touches of pepper in the background. Plush and round tannins and great length make for a fresh and enticing finish.FOOD PAIRINGS Our favorite Joy of Cooking pairings* for this wine include Pulled Pork with North Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce, Lamb Ragu or Fromage Fort. – Rombauer Vineyards