2000 Russian River Valley Zinfandel
From Rancho Bello Vineyard
Albert Bello’s vineyard sits on a northwestern ridge above Green Valley, one of the sub-appellations of the Russian River Valley. This high point, at an elevation of about 800 feet, is a “banana belt” of sorts, receiving more sunshine and warmth and averaging 8 to 10 degrees higher in temperature than adjacent areas. Groundwater is scarce, but rainfall is at least double the amount received in the nearby communities of Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, giving the vineyard a great head start in the spring.
Soils are Goldridge Series and therefore mostly sand and loam. Dry farming amplifies the stress of this somewhat marginal soil, making many of Rancho Bello’s vines look older and more gnarled than their age. The clusters of Zinfandel hang what seems an eternity in this cool, stressed environment. In the moderate 2000 growing season, even the meager crop, a scant 2 tons per acre, did not reach full maturity until October 10, when it was harvested at 24.8 Brix. The long hang time was evident in deep color and balanced acidity, and the fruit oozed classic Zinfandel character.
We gently de-stemmed the fruit and transferred whole berries to the fermenter. After a few days of cold extraction, the must was inoculated with a Rhone isolate yeast that emphasizes inherent fruit flavors. The new wine was pressed at dryness. Though the free run and press fractions were initially aged separately, they were blended at the first quarterly racking as the press wine enhanced the mid-palate and complexity of the wine. Malolactic fermentation proceeded naturally, and very slowly—requiring just over a year to finish! The wine was aged in French oak, about 50/50 new Francois Freres barrels and one-year-old Meyrieux barrels. No fining was required prior to bottling in April 2002.
TASTING NOTES:
A huge core of bright blackberry and ripe red plum greets the nose, and further
airing reveals grace notes of black cherry, mocha-scented oak and white pepper.
The deeply hued wine has a seductive depth of flavor, coating the palate with
supple tannins enmeshed in robust fruit. The finish is amply textured, maintaining
both elegance and finesse while the fruit chimes on and on.
TECHNICAL NOTES
| Production Details | Analytical Data | |
| Blend: 100% Zinfandel | Harvested: October 10, 2000 | |
| Vineyard: Rancho Bello | Brix 24.8º | |
| Appellation: Russian River Valley |
T.A. 8.1 g/l | |
| Aging: Seventeen months | pH 3.42 | |
| Cooperage: Francois Freres, Meyrieux | Bottled: April 5, 2002 | |
| Barrel Age: 50% new/50% 1-year-old |
T.A. 6.1 g/l | |
| Bottles Produced: 7128 | pH 3.70 |
