1/2 way done
This lovely, accessible wine has blossomy notes of blueberry and raspberry, with spicy notes of pepper and anise and a minty overtone. Medium-bodied, it is nicely balanced with berry and malt chocolate flavors, crisp acidity and a supple finish. Pleasurable just for sipping with friends, it also matches well with pasta dishes or chocolate desserts. Vintage 2005 The 2005 Vintage was one of the finest in a decade. Similar to the El Nino weather patterns of 1997, ample spring rains and a cooler than normal summer permitted full ripening and long hang-time. Although the crop level averaged 15% above normal, mainly due to a healthy set, cluster and berry sizes were low, resulting in excellent concentration of flavors. The mild, dry fall allowed for physiological ripeness without excessive sugar, thus alcohols are moderate, and the resulting wines are balanced and accessible. Winemaking We harvested ripe bunches from three Zinfandel vineyards on the Westside of Paso Robles, de-stemmed and fermented the fruit using gentle cap irrigation. After pressing, the wine was aged in oak uprights using micro-oxygenation with new toasted French oak staves. After sufficient aging to develop bouquet and tannin structure, the wines were blended for balance and bottled.
