Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2017
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Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Zinfandel
Appellation
Napa Valley
Harvest Date
September 8–29, 2017
Acid
T.A.: 0.58 g / 100ml
pH
3.59
Aging
17 months, 28% new oak (75% French, 25% American)
Alcohol %
14.9
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Our 2017 Zinfandel boasts bright aromas of fresh plum, dark cherry, dark brambly fruit
such as boysenberry and blackberry with hints of spice, gingerbread, clove and mocha.
On the palate, intense flavors of cherry, plum, boysenberry and lingering toasted notes
are threaded with hints of gingerbread. This wine is weighty andjuicy with balanced
acidity accenting soft and supple tannins. Winemaker Joe Shirley recommends pairing
this wine with chicken cacciatore or a well-seasoned steak topped with fresh basil.
Vineyard Notes
Grapes for the Napa Cellars 2017 Zinfandel are hand-selected from vineyards in
the warmer areas of Napa Valley, including St. Helena, Yountville, Oak Knoll and
Calistoga. Zinfandel grows best in warmer climates, and sourcing grapes from these
areas results in complex and concentrated fruit. Zinfandel is not nearly as ubiquitous as
Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, and makes up roughly 2% of total acreage.
Production Notes
After a cold soak designed to extract color from the skins, the grapes were pressed
early to avoid extracting harsh tannins. Following a 12 to 18-day maceration period
and fermented with the délestage method, the lots were aged in 28% new French and
American oak barrels for 17 months. The partial use of new oak helps preserve the big
Zinfandel flavors, while still imparting warm, spicy characteristics to create an elegant
and balanced wine.
Winemaker Notes
The 2017 growing season offered superlative growing conditions with abundant rain at
the beginning of the year. Harvest brought lower yields with fruit of excellent quality.
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