Zinfandel 2018, Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard
Estate Grown
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Zinfandel
Appellation
Dry Creek Valley
Vineyard Designation
Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard
Acid
7.0 g/L
pH
3.41
Aging
22 months in 30% new French oak barrels, 70% 3-7 year-old neutral oak barrels
Bottling Date
11/11/2020
Residual Sugar
0
Alcohol %
15.4
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Tempting aromatics of luscious vine-ripened
blackberries laced with pepper and cedar spice greet
the nose. With the first sip, juicy berry flavors burst
in mid-palate. Spicy flavors of cinnamon, cedar and
white pepper, along with hints of black licorice, quickly
join the rich berry essence as they fuse and linger into
the finish. As the wine opens, the beautiful balance
between the spice-laced fruit and integrated structure
shines through.
Vineyard Notes
We have a history with mountain wines and mountain
vineyards going back to 1979, when I first laid eyes on
Mount Eden Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains
and fell in love with the intensity of mountain fruit. I
carried that devotion for mountain wines with me when
I moved up to Dry Creek Valley in 1983 to develop a
vineyard and build my house on Bradford Mountain.
This wine encapsulates all of the best qualities found in
mountain grown Zinfandels from the Dry Creek Valley
appellation. Poorer soils and colder nights harness and
preserve more of the bright acidity and freshness in
the grapes. More sunlight hours at the higher elevation
means darker, richer fruit. Unlike benchland Zins,
mountain Zins have a peppery quality and more black
fruit character (think wild blackberry).
Production Notes
In the 2018 Estate Vineyard Zinfandel, we combined
wine from our head-trained block, as well as our
trellised rows of Zin, with 8% each of Petite Sirah and
Carignane. The result was a delicious wine with a perfect
blance of structure and flavors.
Food Pairing Notes
This wine can be savored solo, and will also pair
perfectly with spicy blueberry pork tenderloin served
with creamy scalloped potatoes or, for something
different but equally delicious, try with seafood
arrabbiata over linguine.