2007 Sonoma Valley "Rossi Ranch" Zinfandel
99% Zinfandel
1% Alicante Bouschet
Perhaps it was the growing season. Perhaps it’s all the TLC the vines have been receiving. Whatever the reason, the organically farmed 97 year-old Rossi Ranch produced something truly special in 2007. As usual, fermented indigenously, aged in 22% new oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium-dark to dark garnet. A seductive nose of cherries, milk chocolate, rose petal, and, of course, the signature Rossi garrigue. As the wine enters the mouth, it quickly coats the palate, offering up flavors of red berries, briary spice, and pepper. Certainly our best Rossi to date and a contender for our best Zinfandel of the vintage. Enjoyable now (although we still recommend decanting), this wine should drink well from release through 2015. (MRO – 03/10/09)