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These thick, gnarled vines planted on the steep red rock slope in Geyserville (in Alexander Valley, Sonoma county) always produce jet-black, intensely-flavored and very complex grapes.
2008 Todd Brothers Vineyard
Zinfandel
Alexander Valley
History
This old-vine vineyard
consistently produces one of the most sought-after wines that Dashe Cellars
makes, and at this point in our history we’ve made Todd Brothers Ranch zinfandels
for eleven vintages. Each year they consistently produce a very characteristic
intense wine filled with flavors of chocolate, blackberry, and beautiful floral
and spice aromatics. In 2008, the
growing conditions were such that we produced one of the most balanced,
luscious Todd Brothers Zinfandels.
Production
As is our tradition, we harvested the Todd Brothers Ranch
grapes before any of our other grapes, in early September. The grapes were
trucked to the winery in ˝ ton picking bins, and then hand sorted—to remove any
materials other than grapes or less than perfect grapes—on a conveyor belt on
their way to the crusher. We fermented
the grapes using our traditional method of native yeast fermentation, using the
yeasts on the surface of the grapes to ferment the grape must. This native
yeast method maximizes flavor, color, and complexity from the grapes. At
dryness, the wine was gently pressed in a membrane press and pumped to
traditional 60-gallon French oak barrels.
The wine was aged for
14 months in one-year-old or older French oak barrels—we prefer the flavor of
the fruit to not be overpowered by too much oak flavor. Although we often add just a bit of Petite
Syrah from the vineyard when “topping” the barrels, we decided the wine was
perfect as it was when we were having our blending trials. Therefore, no additional lots were blended
in, resulting in a wine that was 100% from the Todd Brothers Ranch, and 99%
Zinfandel. We feel this wine should easily improve with eight or more years of
bottle age.
Production
Notes
Varietals: 99%
Zinfandel, 1% Petite Syrah
Appellation:
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Alcohol:
14.8% by vol.
Time
in oak: 14 months
Oak:
One year old or older
French barrels
Production: 511
cases, 750mL
Release
date: July 1, 2010
Sugg.
retail price: $32.00 bottle, 750mL
Optimum
time for consumption: 2010-2018
Tasting
Notes
Color : Purple-black
Aroma: Floral notes of lavender and
violets, followed by deep earthy and fruity flavors of blackberry, cassis, chocolate, mineral, anise,
and black pepper
Taste: Quite
balanced and mouthfilling, with complex flavors of blackberry and cassis fruit,
followed by chocolate, licorice, and peppery spice. Substantial tannins will
soften with age. Intense, complex finish.
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