Dashe Cellars
2019 Zinfandel
, Todd Brothers Ranch
Old Vines

91 Points - Wine Spectator

Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper.  Ripe fruit flavors saturate this full-bodied wine, with blueberries, blackberries and dark plums on a juicy texture that slides easily down the hatch.  The palate is full, structured and balanced.  Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.  It's pure indulgent enjoyment for sipping alone or pairing with stews and roasts.

VINEYARD
A premiere Sonoma County vineyard, the Todd Brothers Ranch has been the source of high-end Alexander Valley Zinfandel since 1998.  This vineyard produces some of the most complex and flavorful wines in all of Sonoma County.  The rocky red-soil slope in Geyserville, located on the northern tip of the valley, produces unusually small, intensely concentrated grapes. 
The 60-year-old head-trained vines consistently produce grapes with almost Cabernet-like intensity and structure, yet still possess the characteristic balance and sensuous texture of Zinfandel.

WINEMAKING
Todd Brothers Vineyard is one of their earliest ripening and was picked on the fifth of September.  The grapes were trucked to the winery in 1000 lb picking bins and hand-sorted.  Fermented using the native yeast on the surface of the grapes which maximizes the flavor, color, and complexity of the grapes.  At dryness, the wine was gently pressed into 120 and 60 gallon French oak barrels.  During the blending, a small amount of Petite Sirah was added from the Todd Brothers Ranch for additional body, spice, and further depth of flavor.

Vintage:  2019
Varietals:  98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah
Vineyard:  Todd Brothers Ranch
Appellation:  Alexander Valley
Time in oak:  16 months in French oak
Alcohol:  14.5%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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