Red - Zinfandel

Several years ago, I helped out in the tasting room at Pedroncelli Winery. I always marveled at how beautiful the country side was, even on rainy days, and the care that was shown to the land. Four generations of Pedroncellis have tended the land and grown the business even during prohibition when they continued to produce grapes for home consumption. I also marveled at the fact that they always kept their wines at a reasonable price even though they had a reputation for great wines and could have charged more.

John Pedroncelli, who was instrumental in building Sonoma County’s wine industry was just two years old when his family moved to Geyserville in 1927 and started making wine. Having graduated from UC Davis with a degree in oenology, Pedroncelli went on to produce 66 vintages at the Pedroncelli Winery and continued to consult for the winery up until his death. Pedroncelli pioneered affordable, approachable wines from the Dry Creek Valley and championed Zinfandel, making California’s first Zinfandel rosé.

The Pedroncelli Mother Clone 2015 Zinfandel is a classic Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. Fragrant aroma of raspberry and red plum with a touch of black pepper and vanilla. Bing cherry and raspberry flavors framed by subtle black pepper spice. Well integrated flavors with round tannins and warm toasty oak in the finish.

Dolinsek Ranch, a magical vineyard planted over 104 years ago by the Frati family, has produced outstanding wines throughout the 20th century. The soil is a rich sandy-Goldridge loam and is located just off the famous Laguna Road, one of the best terroirs of the Russian River Valley. The 2015 vintage shows elegance and length, medium tannins, coupled with lush liquor like berry fruit and white pepper. The purity of aromas is the main characteristic of this medium-bodied Zinfandel. Superb with grilled meats and sharp, earthy cheeses. Only 220 cases produced.

Gold Medal for the 2012 vintage at the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The Brown family started as growers in Napa back in the late 70's selling their fruit to such prestigious wineries as T-Vine, Grgich Hills and Green and Red. In 1995, they started their own label with consulting winemaker, Duane Dappen (D-Cubed) getting them going. That was a great day for the wine world! The flagship Napa Valley Zinfandel historically has borne the responsibility of being the ultimate representative of what the Brown property and its unique microclimate have to offer—the cream of the Brown Estate zinfandel crop blended into one stellar wine. As such, it is the most challenging zin they produce because it requires commingling of several distinct personalities into a singular well-adjusted protagonist. The fact that each vineyard’s qualities complement and enhance the others’ virtues is a testament to the integration, fluidity, and perpetual motion—the balancing act!—that is Brown Estate itself. Stunning gemstone magenta core and ruby rim. True on the nose to the hallmark Brown Estate bouquet of rose petals, lily of the valley, hibiscus flowers, Asian apple, and effervescent citrus followed by dried apricot and peach. Medium body with silky mouthfeel, the palate at first delivers a burst of ripe red fruits, heavy cream, and loads of cascading exotic spice, finishing with a surprise of subtle crushed black pepper. Seamlessly integrated, elegant, and engaging. Drink now through 2022 to experience ripe fresh fruit, thereafter for a less fruity, earthier experience. 1100 cases made.

I am always impressed by what people did before the wine world.  Here's two sisters – Mary and Nadine Roy who owned and operated a radiology business in Illinois and now have been running Capo Creek Ranch for the last 4 years. Mary Roy is the mother of six and previous owner/lead physician of Midwest Center for Advanced Imaging, specializing in MRI and Women's Imaging. Nadine Roy was a co-owner and executive director of that business and has now been certified as a sommelier and works alongside her sister, the winemaker. 

Their 2015 Zinfandel from Dry Creek is medium-bodied wine with dark cherry and pomegranate on the palate.  This wine explodes with splendid fruitiness followed by spice – perfect with grilled meats, BBQ, and brilliant red-orange sunsets.