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%
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.