{"title":"May 28: Zinfandel","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"beekeeper-cellars-zinfandel-montecillo-vineyard-sonoma-county-2018","title":"Beekeeper Cellars, Zinfandel, Montecillo Vineyard, Sonoma County, 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eBeekeeper Cellars is the vision of best friends and co-winemakers Ian Blackburn and Clay Mauritson. The two collaborated after adventurous individual careers in the wine business, and at last, decided to work together on a project of their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClay, a 7th generation grape grower, and his family found themselves the owners of a significant slice of the Rockpile Appellation, through an amazing set of historical land transactions. The Mauritson family realized the potential and parented the creation of the ROCKPILE AVA. In 1998, Ian and Clay climbed the hill and watched the Madrone Spring Vineyard get planted, while discussing the future of Rockpile and the dream it represented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeekeeper started with a simple vow: \"craft beautiful vineyard expressions from premier vineyard sites, and reintroduce the quality wine audience to Zinfandel.” Today, we continue towards this goal. Our wines are crafted with all the attention to detail of an ultra premium Cabernet; premier vineyards, low yields, careful hand selection of fruit, artisan winemaking, quality focused, not quantity and the expensive use of time in quality French Oak barrels. Because of this meticulous approach and our mission, our wines are built to age. In fact, they require age. We strive to assure our audience that our Zinfandel is a worthy investment and that patience will be rewarded with additional cellarage. Ian, Clay, and day to day winemaker Emma Kudritzki Hall cannot be more excited about sharing their wines for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy Beekeeper?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 1800s, you needed to have a noble profession gain entry into America, and Ian's great grandparents were entertainers “pre” Vaudeville, and that was NOT considered a noble profession…. quite the opposite! His family lived off the land and worked as beekeepers, hunters, farmers… and singing and dancing was part of their life. They took some liberties and said “we are beekeepers” as that was (and still is) a \"noble profession.\" The family “bi-line” was established; “we come from a long line of beekeepers.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppellation: Sonoma Valley AVA\u003cbr\u003eVineyard: Montecillo Vineyard\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Note\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e34-year old vines at elevation, dry farmed, sustainably farmed.….. with one hell of a view. Just a half mile to the Napa Valley line, the fruit is different here. The blue (Blueberry, blackberry) compote with this beautiful delineation of fruit, spice, earth - this is technically inside of the Moon Mountain Appellation and really one of the best sights for Cabernet in the Sonoma Valley AVA. There are 4 acres of ZINFANDEL and we love this fruit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2018 Zinfandel Montecillo Vineyard comes from a vineyard co-planted with a small percentage of Petite Sirah and offers thekaleidoscopic aromatics of the best Zinfandels and a great balance ofintensity and elegance. Medium ruby in color, it's bursting with purescents of baked rhubarb, apricot and peach, wafts of tar and exoticfloral and botanical nuances. Medium to full-bodied, its intense fruitsare foiled by juicy acidity and abundant, grainy tannins, and it has along, layered finish. 190 cases were made.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis blends grape from Montecillo on Moon Mountain and Madrone Spring on Rockpile, weaving together an intense expression of high-elevation viticulture. Reductive on the nose, it offers inky layers of leather, espresso and blackberry within a full-bodied, sturdy and sophisticated core of structure and complexity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merchant of Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40305201643562,"sku":"","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Beekeeper-Cellars-Zinfandel-Montecillo-vineyard-Sonoma-County-2018.jpg?v=1762529321"},{"product_id":"hartford-zinfandel-russian-river-valley-california-2021","title":"Hartford Family Winery, Old Vine Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003c\/span\u003e                                                                     \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHartford Family Winery was founded in 1993 as a result of Don and Jennifer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learnaboutwine.com\/products\/learnaboutwine-presents-zinfandel-wednesday-june-14th-at-7pm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/FtinZinfandel.png?v=1686166208\" width=\"183\" height=\"183\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaking delicious wines of high personality is directly related to the difficult locations of the Hartford family's vineyard sources, the limited production of their bottlings and the varietals they use. \"Character through adversity\" is an expression that the Hartford family believes to apply to both people and grapevines, and they feel that surviving adversity builds character, and personality, in both. The Hartford Family makes wines under two marks, Hartford Court and Hartford.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/X0JW92VkFSc\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to watch our YouTube video about this wine!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTiaan Lordan\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZinfandel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRussian River, Sonoma County, California\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel is showing aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, black cherry which are highlighted with hints of white pepper and allspice. Blueberry, red raspberry, nutmeg, and mocha flavors lead into a long, bright finish with supple tannins.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Ian Blackburn\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Old Vine bottling features a beautiful nose of ripe strawberry, and crisp cherry skins with layers of herbs and pepper.  Red candy color with fresh forward red fruits mask the dense 15.5 alcohol that lies below this beautiful Zinfandel that displays plump and punctuated Russian River character. Color 13.5, Aroma 22.5, Body 22.5, Overall 32.5 = 91 points\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merchant of Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44682058531121,"sku":"","price":36.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Hartford-Family-Winery-Old-Vine-Zinfandel-Russian-River-Valley-California-2021.jpg?v=1762531121"},{"product_id":"martinelli-vigneto-di-evo-zinfandel-russian-river-valley-sonoma-california-2022","title":"Martinelli, Vigneto di Evo Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Martinelli Family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Russian River Valley since the late 1880s. As 5th generation stewards of some of the finest vineyards in the region, they’re proud to continue this legacy of hands-on farming, bringing decades of experience to everything they do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir primary goal has always been hand-crafting quality wines that are born in their estate vineyards. All of their grapes are Estate grown, allowing us to use only their favorite blocks for each vineyard designated wine. They have a commitment to quality and have never offered for sale a wine that they felt did not live up to the reputation and expectations of its label. They also try to maintain a sense of consistency with each vintage, while still allowing the true nature of the vineyard to shine through. These wines are limited production and each vineyard is hand farmed very carefully, producing only the finest quality fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCourtney Robinett Wagoner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eZinfandel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRussian River Valley, Sonoma, California\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Note\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2022 growing season was full of ups and downs, keeping our winemaking team on their toes. The season started out with ideal conditions with early rains helping to push bud break into Spring. While we encountered instances of shatter (a grape berry fails to develop because of incomplete pollination) due to frost, this was limited to specific vineyards. Meticulous attention was given to addressing this issue, as we diligently assessed each block and thinned any clusters affected by shatter. Thankfully, the summer months offered the optimal combination of warm days and perfectly cool nights. However, Labor Day weekend launched what has been marked as one of the most heat-intensive 7-day periods on record for Sonoma County, resulting in a significant number of vineyards reaching their ripening stage simultaneously.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is wonderfully complex in the nose with aromas of red plum compote, raspberries, and dried mission figs. An energetic entry with juicy black plum flavors seamlessly transitions from mid palate to finish coated with dark chocolate shavings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - CT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Skurnik","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50325852553521,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Martinelli_Vigneto_di_Evo_Zinfandel_Russian_River_Valley_Sonoma_California_2022.jpg?v=1741290849"},{"product_id":"graziano-family-of-wines-monte-volpe-primo-rosso-lot-17-mendocino-county-california","title":"Monte Volpe, Primo Rosso, Mendocino County, California, NV (Red Blend)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe Graziano Family has a long line of winemakers and grape growers dating back to the early 1900’s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eGregory Graziano’s grandfather, Vincenzo Graziano, and his wife Angela, immigrated to America and eventually found their way to Mendocino County where they started growing grapes and making wine. They first planted vineyards in Mendocino County in 1918.In the late 1920’s Vincenzo had to depend on selling grapes to home winemakers on the east coast and bootlegging wine to support his family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIn the 1940’s after Prohibition and the Depression, Vincenzo, along with other local grape growers, formed the Mendocino Vineyards Winery, which eventually was sold and merged into the historically significant Cresta Blanca Winery in the town of Ukiah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eGreg’s father, Joseph Graziano, later followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in the family vineyard operation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur wines reflect an artistic blend of our Italian heritage with a touch of California flair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike his family before him Greg Graziano, Vincenzo’s grandson, now carries on the family winemaking tradition that his grandfather set the foundation for and that his father Joseph later handed down to Gregory. To this day he is still carrying on the family tradition…as is his oldest daughter, Alexandra Graziano, a UC Davis graduate of Viticulture and Enology. She is currently involved in all aspects of winemaking and is the 4th generation, from Piedmonte of Italy to Mendocino County.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eGreg \u0026amp; Alexandra Graziano\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZinfandel, Primitivo, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Syrah\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eMendicino County, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis creative blend produces a wine of extraordinary balance. This wine has a dark purple-garnet color, with fruity aromas and flavors of plums, blackberry jam, spice and earth with hints of toasty oak. Rich full flavors, ample tannins and balanced acidity seamlessly carry through to a long, complex finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnjoy this wine with grilled steaks, pasta with forest mushroom sauce and lamb chops with rosemary and garlic sauce. Primo Rosso also make a great companion to hard well aged cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Skorka","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50541503414577,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Graziano_Family_of_Wines_Monte_Volpe_Primo_Rosso_Lot_17_Mendocino_County_California.jpg?v=1736193259"},{"product_id":"turley-juvenile-zinfandel-california-2023","title":"Turley, \"Juvenile\" Zinfandel, California, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTurley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and makes forty-seven wines, the vast majority of which are single vineyard designate Zinfandels and Petite Syrahs. By focusing on old vine vineyards in particular, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of Turley’s vineyards are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or somewhere in the process, and the winery uses all natural yeasts in the fermentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurley aims to be stewards of some of California’s most distinctive vineyards, producing authentic wines that reflect their heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLarry Turley\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Zinfandel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCalifornia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExuberant and expressive! Classic Zinfandel spice, brightly fruited and well structured, delightfully juicy and just downright delicious. Dark raspberry, blue fruits, soft tannins, and deeply pleasurable. This wine punches so far above its weight it’s in a class of its own.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2023 Zinfandel Juvenile is bold, juicy and super-expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Bright red\/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and new leather build nicely in this tasty, mid-weight offering from Turley. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chambers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51255893557553,"sku":null,"price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Turley_Juvenile_Zinfandel_California_2023.jpg?v=1744724288"},{"product_id":"morisoli-vineyard-plinios-block-zinfandel-california-2023","title":"Morisoli Vineyard, \"Plinio's Block\" Zinfandel, Rutherford, California, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSituated along Niebaum Lane, just west of Highway 29 in the center of the historic Rutherford Bench. The contiguous, 53-acre vineyard sits at the base of Mt. St. John on alluvial soils from the Mayacamas Range. These well-drained, gravelly bale-clay and pleasanton-loam soils consistently yield wines of great complexity, firm tannins, and abundant fruit flavors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard is farmed by the Morisoli Family as it has been since 1902. Gary, Melody, and their son Chris Morisoli use original tractors and vintage implements to farm the old way. A French plow is used to remove weeds around the vines instead of using sprays, and the vineyard is disced regularly to maintain moisture in the soil. Irrigation is used sparingly during the summer to maintain vine health during heat spells. Harvest is completed in the early morning by hand using the same crew, year to year. Cover crops of plow-down legumes (Sweet Peas, Vetch and Fava Beans) are planted to return nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil every year after harvest and sub-soil ripping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe pride ourselves on long-lasting relationships with wineries who have purchased our fruit for years. Less than two percent of our grapes are made into our Morisoli Vineyard estate grown wines. Visit these producers and see what makes them special and why we enjoy working with them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eJoel Aiken \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Zinfandel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRutherford, California\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFermented in separate lots over ten days each, the wine developed a beautiful, deep color and complex, rich flavors. Barrel aging lasted 15 months in 30% new French oak barrels from Maury and Seguin Moreau. The wine is flush with wild berries, exotic spice, and fresh violets. Beneath the fruit, subtle notes of iron, earth, and minerality emerge, complemented by supple tannin integration. Plinio also made wine in his cellar from this same block that he planted as a young man. He spent his days supplying provisions to the locals from his general store and the evenings caring for his vines. Everything about this wine showcases the classic depth and storied history of Plinio’s old-vine vineyard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2023 Morisoli Vineyard Plinio's Block is the first vintage they've produced from their historic old vines, using clones that came from Inglenook, brought over by Gustave Niebaum. Morisoli took cuttings in 1910. It is composed of a base of Zinfandel, with a field blend of Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, Durif, Grand Noir de la Calmette, Muscat Hamburg, Negrette, Syrah, and Valdiguie, all on St. George Rootstock. Until now, the fruit was sold to other wineries, and this first vintage made by the Morisoli is well worth checking out! Medium garnet-purple in color, it tumbles out with bold notes of black raspberries, spice cake, potpourri, and underbrush, followed by hints of blackberry pie and anise with a touch of garrigue. The full-bodied palate is rich and plush with fantastic tension and loads of spicy red and black fruit layers, finishing with a cheeky lift. 225 cases made.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51475156336945,"sku":null,"price":74.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Morisoli_Vineyard_Plinio_s_Block_Zinfandel_Rutherford_California_2023_242e9657-00d0-487f-b1b6-1ac8bcf2b3ad.jpg?v=1750273679"},{"product_id":"turley-cedarman-zinfandel-howell-mountain-california-2023","title":"Turley, \"Cedarman\" Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, California, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTurley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and makes forty-seven wines, the vast majority of which are single vineyard designate Zinfandels and Petite Syrahs. By focusing on old vine vineyards in particular, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of Turley’s vineyards are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or somewhere in the process, and the winery uses all natural yeasts in the fermentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurley aims to be stewards of some of California’s most distinctive vineyards, producing authentic wines that reflect their heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLarry Turley\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eZinfandel, Petite Syrah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHowell Mountain, California\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eCedarman is an inky blend of predominately Zinfandel and small amounts of Petite Syrah from Howell Mountain. The Zinfandel comes from Dragon vineyard, planted at one of the highest points on Howell Mountain to rocky, red volcanic soils. The Petite Syrah comes from Rattlesnake Ridge on the northeastern edge of Napa, just above St. Helena upon Howell Mountain. After harvested the grapes are pressed and the wine is fermented with all-natural yeasts. The wines are then aged for 15 months in 80% used oak barrels, of which 80% is French and 20% is American.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAromatically the wine is bright with white pepper and ripe, brambly fruits. On the palate, the wine is densely full bodies, with spice and dark plums, graphite, roasted red meats, and dusty earth. In classic Howell Mountain style, the tannins are bold and the wine has a finish that lasts and lasts. \u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e93 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2023 Zinfandel Cedarman is a very serious wine in this vintage. Dark and imposing, with serious gravitas, the 2023 packs an intense punch. Wild cherry, lavender, licorice, menthol, mocha and dried herbs all power through. This is a stellar botting and a great value, too. Barrel Sample: 91-93\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chambers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51475318538545,"sku":null,"price":48.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Turley_Cedarman_Zinfandel_Howell_Mountain_California_2023.jpg?v=1749821263"}],"url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/collections\/may-28-zinfandel.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}