2007 Estate Zinfandel "Cluster Select Sweet"

 The grapes for this wine were hand selected from a section of our Crimson Hill Vineyard which naturally stresses earlier because it’s particularly rocky with thin soils; this is not a “late harvest” wine. The clusters were individually selected due to their dehydrated or wrinkled appearance. The resulting harvest sugars were naturally very high and the flavors were very concentrated but not pruney.

The wine was produced and bottled at our estate winery in the Red Hills District of Lake County. The vineyard and winery are at 2000 feet elevation and overlook the southern end of Clear Lake.  The seven acre vineyard block is planted in well-drained, sloped, crimson red, volcanic soil that provides the perfect site for growing great red wines.  The climate is ideal for mid- to late-season reds.  The vineyard receives daily full sun with warm temperatures in the spring and summer that are tempered by daily afternoon mistrals. 

The grapes were gently de-stemmed, cold soaked and then fermented in a small open top tank where the must was “punched down” twice daily until fermentation slowed.  The wine was then aged and continued to ferment in French oak barrels for 11 months. The wine was bottled in 375ml splits and labeled as “Cluster Select Sweet.”

This unusual style Zinfandel exhibits blueberry preserves, lavender and milk chocolate fruit with a bit of pepper.  The flavors are of ripe candied red fruit-centered chocolates with a hint of seasoned oak that are brightened by the wines natural acidity. This all makes for a truly delicious and interesting desert-style Zinfandel. Enjoy this wine as an after dinner cordial instead of port.