2019 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch

History
One of our premiere Sonoma County vineyards, the Todd Brothers Ranch has been our source of high-end Alexander Valley zinfandel since 1998. 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 the 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 possess the characteristic balance and sensuous texture of zinfandel.
Production
As always, the Todd Brothers Vineyard is one of our earliest ripening and was picked on the fifth of September. The grapes were trucked to the winery in 1000 lb picking bins and hand-sorted before the crusher to remove leaves or any less-than-perfect grapes.
In the tank, the grapes were fermented using the yeasts on the surface of the grapes. This native yeast method maximizes the flavor, color, and complexity of 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.

Tasting Notes:
Color: Red-purple

Aroma: 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 currant, 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.

218 cases produced