Varietal Notes:
When we started our label in 1984, the intent was to produce a Zin that expressed the intrinsic "zinberry" fruit and elegance of the Dry Creek Valley appellation. The intent remains the same.
We work closely with six growers to assemble a blend that reflects the personality of each growing season. The blend includes 6-12% of varieties complementary to Zinfandel: Petite Sirah, Syrah, Carignane, Alicante Bouchet and Gamay. All the grapes are hand sorted at the crusher, then fermented in a small batch open-top tanks. We age our Zin exclusively in French oak.
While most who drink our wines prefer them young, we've found that a properly cellared Nalle Zin can be delicious beyond ten years.
Winemaker Notes:
Here is a sterling example of why
Dry Creek Valley is known world- wide for Zinfandel: aromas of ripe blackberry and raspberry, lip smackin' juiciness, supple tannins and a depth of color not seen since 1999. Here we are, making a Zinfandel unusual as an underwater tick. Our style was not unusual in 1985 and is certainly not unusable in 2007. Complex red fruits, spicy brown sugar and sufficient acidity to harmonize with a wide range of Cal-Ital dishes. Less is more when it comes to getting a California red to have balance and this Zin does it.
Technical Notes:
| Appellation: |
Dry Creek Valley |
| Vineyard: |
A blend of seven vineyards from the appellation's four quadrants |
| Fermentation: |
1250 gallon open top tanks with 7-15 days of skin contact |
| Oak: |
New- 4 yr. old French oak |
| Alcohol: |
13.9% |
| TA: |
6.5 g/L |
| pH: |
3.47 |
| Production: |
1725 cases |