2016 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch
Library Release
History
Dashe Cellars has been making zinfandels from the Todd Brothers Ranch vineyard since 1998, and we believe this vineyard produces some of the most complex and flavorful wines in all of Sonoma County. This rocky red-soil slope in Geyserville, located on the northern tip of Alexander Valley, produces unusually small, intensely concentrated grapes. These 60-year-old head-trained vines consistently produce grapes with almost cabernet-like intensity and structure, yet still possessing the characteristic balance and sensuous texture of a Zinfandel.
Production
As always, the Todd Brothers Vineyard is one of our earliest ripening, and was picked in the first week of September. The grapes were trucked to the winery in 1000 lb picking bins, and hand-sorted before the crusher. The grapes were fermented using the yeasts on the surface of the grapes. This native yeast method maximizes flavor, color, and complexity from the grapes. At dryness, the wine was gently pressed in a membrane press and pumped to 120- and 60-gallon French oak barrels. During the blending, we added a small amount of Petite Sirah from the Todd Brothers Ranch for body, spice and depth of flavor.
Production: 393 cases
Tasting Notes
2022 Library Release: Still very youthful with substantial tannins and complex flavors of plum, pomegranate, black cherry, and minerals.
| Color: | Reddish purple |
| Aromas: | Black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violets. Spice notes of cedar and grey pepper |
| Taste: | Lush, very structured but balanced; a big wine with a sensuous texture. Blackberry, black current, and black cherry fruit, earth and minerals, garrigue (forest floor), firm acid and silky tannins in a very structured wine. Long, sweet, fruit finish of blackberry, peppery spice, and cassis. |