Old Vines, Zinfandel

Bacchi Vineyard

Russian River Valley

Tasting Notes

At the forefront, this distinctive Zinfandel teases with juicy pomegranate, dark ripe berries, and hints of Spanish Lavender, leading to a vibrant yet supple mouthfeel adorned with notes of Earl Grey Tea. The fleshy finish delicately unveils a trace of minerality and an essence of granite, while the nose entices with fresh cherries, white pepper and an herbaceous undertone. The finish offers soft acidity, peppery accents, and is full of textural allure.

Vintage Notes

The 2021 growing season saw near-perfect growing conditions. With minimal winter rain, the vines were awakened with ideal moderate springtime temperatures, eliminating any frost threat to the developing buds. At most sites, fruit set was during the optimal timeframe due to warm, consistent conditions. Veraison occurred 7-10 days earlier than in previous years due to the temperate weather and minimal rain. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights throughout the summer months, with a few of the regular short-lived heat spikes, allowing for excellent flavor development. The year saw an early harvest, with 90% of the region’s grapes being picked before the late Fall.

Vineyard Notes

This vineyard is picked & fermented by its two distinct blocks: the “House Block” (92%) which has smaller yields & more mixed varieties producing a dark dense wine. The other block, known as the “Hill block” (3%), is almost exclusively Zinfandel & makes a wine much brighter in fruit with spicier aromatics.

Winemaker Notes

The grapes undergo a five-day cold soak before fermentation to extract optimal color and aroma. After primary fermentation, the wine is pumped into French oak barrels, 25% new, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation during its elevage before blending in a touch of Petite Sirah right before bottling.