2017 Anderson Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
Anderson Ranch is in the venerable Lytton Springs corridor near our Wine Creek Ranch home estate. It rests on elevated benchland and planted in well-drained sandy soils with perfectly matched clones delivering an elegant, refined Zinfandel - our Grand Cru.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Anderson Ranch's decomposed sandstone soils are lightly colored and textured nurturing an aromatic-driven expression and natural acidity. The 2017 vintage is our seventeenth bottling and we continue to be amazed by the fruit. 100% Zinfandel; a testament to the site and its microclimate with warm to hot days and typically cold nights. In 2017, this vineyard was precision-picked five times to achieve both perfectly balanced lots and a range of flavors. We handle the grapes in a traditional Burgundian-style utilizing open-top fermenters, punching down by hand daily, cool soaking, and basket press to fully express the terroir. Only French oak is used. This begins in barrels and then about halfway in aging, moves to foudres to complete the second fermentation and allow for aroma retention and tannin development. The wines almost go to a suspended animation, helping us retain freshness.
THE WINE
If he had to pick a favorite "child", this would be our winemaker's. This is the wine that will convert you into being a Zin-lover (if you're not already). Gorgeous garnet color with dark fruit aromatics abounding. For this wine, it is all about the red fruit holding its own with dark fruit - cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, blackberry, and boysenberry. Once the wine gets more air, wispy herbal accents - oregano, thyme, sage. Flavors echo the nose and bring in cherry cola, milk chocolate with the subtlest hint of black pepper. Vibrant, the brisk acidity amplifies the fruit for a refreshing finish. There's even a mild wet stone minerality that excites your senses. A gastronomical delight, try with sausages, duck, lamb, porchetta, schnitzel, carnitas burrito, pappardelle pasta with puttanesca sauce, or toasted walnuts. A most ageworthy Zinfandel; cellar for eight to ten years (2027-2029).
Made with Organically Grown Grapes
5 cases
TECHNICAL NOTES
APPELLATION: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
VINEYARDS: 100% Anderson Ranch, CCOF-certified organic
COMPOSITION: 100% Zinfandel
FERMENTATION: Predominantly open-top fermenters
BARREL AGING: 15 months total; first 8 months in French oak barrels (20% new), remaining 7 months in 500L French oak foudres