2008 Russian River Valley "Lingenfelder Vineyard" Zinfandel
96% Zinfandel
4% Russian River Valley Alicante Bouschet, Montafi Ranch
A new vineyard designate! The one-acre Lingenfelder Vineyard lies on a hill just off Woolsey Road in one of the best Zinfandel terroirs of the Russian River Valley. While not old vines, the vineyard is farmed with such care and precision that the result is fruit every bit as delicious. Indigenous fermentation. All French oak, 25% new. We liked what a little Alicante brought to the wine. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium-dark garnet-ruby. Aromas of raspberries and fraise des bois are punctuated by notes of briary spice and licorice. The wine enters full and rich with aromas echoed in the flavors. Plenty of acidity keeps the wine light on its feet. Notes of black pepper emerge in the long and energetic finish. Optimum drinking should be from late 2010 through 2015.