91 Points - Wine Spectator
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%
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Polished and elegantly layered Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah offers red plum and black cherry, with hints of cigar box, forest floor, bay, baking spices, light pepper and vanilla on the nose. Expressive black raspberry, sassafras and smoky pepper flavors that linger with salted dark chocolate, red plum, cherry with notes of pepper on the palate.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This big juicy wine opens up with aromas of dark berry, black plum, dried violet and maple that leap from a glass, layered with dried herbs, tar, and smoke that follow. Blackberry and blueberry compote rule the palate, while leather, grilled herbs, dark chocolate and scorched earth lead to a long, satisfying finish. Delicious!
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Dark fruit aromas of black raspberry, blackberry and black cherry steer the aromatics backed by baking spices, anise and lavender. A touch of Syrah to add tannin and depth. On the palate, black cherry and blackberry preserve shine through rounded out by herbs de Provence, dark chocolate and vanilla. A gorgeous expressive wine!
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