2001 Russian River Valley Zinfandel
From Rancho Bello Vineyard
Dry farming brings out the best in Al Bello’s Zinfandel, especially in a magical vintage like 2001. The marginal Goldridge loam soil, coupled with an exceedingly long, temperate growing season, supported a 3 ton per acre crop and led to full ripening of fruit flavors and a quintessential expression of Rancho Bello Zinfandel. Budbreak was in late March and the fruit basked in optimal conditions through the summer’s even, moderate heat. Harvest commenced early on October 19 as fall sunshine pierced a thinning fog.
The grapes were de-stemmed and whole berries were left to cold-soak in the fermenter for three days at 50F to enhance fruitiness. After inoculation with D254 yeast, a Rhone isolate that emphasizes inherent fruit characteristics, the wine was pumped over the cap twice per day for seventeen days. The wine was just approaching dryness when it was pressed and racked to barrel to complete primary fermentation and begin a natural malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked every four months and aged in French oak, with 30% new Dargaud et Jaegle barrels and older French oak. No fining was required prior to bottling in April 2003.
TASTING NOTES:
A sheen of black cherry and ripe blackberry aromas dominates the nose of this wine,
while a dusting of cinnamon, sandalwood and blueberry enhances the complex of flavors.
The luscious entry leads to a broad mid-palate where concentrated fruit and lightly
toasted oak intermingle. Tannins are elegantly embedded in the core of fruit, resulting
in a silky finish that lingers on and on.
TECHNICAL NOTES
| Production Details | Analytical Data | |
| Blend: 100% Zinfandel | Harvested: October 19, 2001 | |
| Vineyard: Rancho Bello | Brix 24.7º | |
| Appellation: Russian River Valley |
T.A. 8.1 g/l | |
| Aging: Eighteen months | pH 3.46 | |
| Cooperage: Dargaud et Jaegle, Vallaurine | Bottled: April 28, 2003 | |
| Barrel Age: 30% new/45% 1-year-old/25% older | T.A. 6.2 g/l | |
| Bottles Produced: 9996 | pH 3.74 |
