Gold Medal - 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Competition
Pairs well with tangy blue cheeses, spicy hummus, grilled tri-tip, pasta Bolognese, smoked baby back ribs, slow roasted meats, and chocolate truffles with sea salt.
VINEYARD
Los Chamizal Vineyards are located in the rocky hillside foothills above the city of Sonoma, in the Moon Mountain District of Sonoma Valley. The beautiful terraced vines were first planted in the 1970′s and are carved into steeply sloping hillsides reaching 800 ft. in elevation. The soils range from well drained sandy clay loam at lower elevations to thin fractured basalt soils at higher elevations. The vineyard has a modestly warm climate through the day, with the vines savoring cooler evening air that preserves slightly higher acidity levels in the grapes. The hills are so steep that the vineyards rows have to be terraced, resulting in each vine getting perfect exposure to the sunlight, which is key for ripening zinfandel evenly. The rocky soils force the roots to grow deep, and the resulting wines show a great deal of character. Los Chamizal is sustainably farmed, using permanent crop cover, compost and organic fertilizers to nurture the soil.
VINTAGE
After a whole berry crush, we cold soaked the fruit for three days, and then put it through twenty days of fermentation. 100% Zinfandel.
Appellation: Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley
Vineyard: Los Chamizal Vineyards
Blend: 100% Zinfandel
Harvested: October 1, 2018
Bottled: January 20, 2021
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
Alcohol: 14.8%
Cases Produced: 354
90 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass. The palate opens with cranberry, cherry fruit and wood spice dominate. Cherry and plum notes pump through with a medium-bodied texture. Smooth tannins and soft finish showcase its layered complexity.
92 Points
Aromas of red raspberry, jammed dark fruit, cinnamon spice and clove. Hints of sliced ripe plum, black tea and lavender oil adds to its complexity. Flavors of blueberry, elderberry, and cranberry are enhanced with oak spice and baking notes from the barrels. These flavors marry with soft tannins for a long and mouthwatering finish.
92 Points
Juicy blackberries and black cherries accented by mint and chocolate. Full-bodied, deeply colored, with a hint of white pepper, dried herbs and toasted bread. Delivers a substantial mid-palate of dark fruits, black tea, baked cherry, fruit preserves and licorice. Sophisticated and sumptuous. A great example of the varietal, brooding with depth and complexity. Notes of toast and oak, with integrated tannins and textural polish on the finish.
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