2002 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY ZINFANDEL
Rancho Bello Vineyard
The dry-farmed, head-trained vines at Rancho Bello are carefully tended by octogenarian Albert Bello, a few vines at a time. Al’s modest ranch sits on marginal Goldridge loam, and the vines struggle to ripen their crop in the cool, foggy days characteristic of the Green Valley sub-appellation. The 2002 vintage was nearly ideal. Temperate, dry conditions lasted from spring through to fall, interrupted only by a burst of heat in late August. Albert patiently removed the few raisined clusters resulting from the heat, and a month later we harvested nearly ideal fruit under nearly ideal conditions.
After de-stemming, the grapes were lightly crushed and then cold-extracted for two days. Vigorous irrigations coaxed the color and tannin from the must early in the fermentation. The new wine was pressed at dryness and racked immediately to French oak for malolactic fermentation. Quarterly rackings softened the tannins and integrated the oak, which was coopered primarily by Francois Freres, Doreau, and Vallaurine. The wine was aged in barrels for seventeen months, and bottled without fining.
TASTING NOTES:
Bright scents of black cherry, cassis and boysenberry are underpinned with sandalwood spice and oak. The flavors echo black cherry, and add hints of blueberry, raspberry and blood orange. The fruit wells up harmoniously in the mid-palate, and leads to a firm and persistent finish. The elegance of this Zinfandel makes it a versatile partner to all manner of dishes, but its core heartiness complements roasted meats in fine fashion.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Production Details Analytical DataBlend: 100% Zinfandel Harvested: Oct. 27, 2002
Vineyard: Rancho Bello Brix .7º
Appellation: Russian River Valley T.A. .1 g/l
Aging: Seventeen months pH 3.
Cooperage: Francois, Vallaurine, Doreau Bottled: May 20, 2004
Barrel Age: 31% new/69% 1- & 2-year-old T.A. 6.2 g/l
Production: 738 cases produced pH 3.74
