2018 Bismark Zinfandel 750ml

Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain vineyard is in the Mayacamas Mountains in the Moon Mountain District, Sonoma County appellation. Two and three-quarter acres were planted in 1993, 9’ by 4’, on very rocky ground. In 2000 we grafted an additional 2676 vines (3.99 acres) to Zinfandel. In all we have six small blocks of Zinfandel at Bismark.

Vintage 2018: Moderate temperatures (aside from a brief heat spike in June), adequate rainfall, and no frost pressure set the stage for even maturation of early season cultivars. While Russian River was enshrouded in fog for much of August and early September, Alexander Valley and Bismark Mountain basked in the warmth of all-day late summer sunshine. Thus, the Bismark Zin was harvested September 18, 2018 at 26.8° Brix, 0.86 g/100 mL TA, and 3.53 pH.

Winemaking: Our 2018 Bismark Zinfandel was destemmed, crushed, and inoculated with a non-saccharomyces yeast (Torulaspora) in stainless steel tanks. After a six day cold soak it was inoculated with a commercial Saccharomyces. After a six-day fermentation on the skins, it was drained and pressed at 1.1 Brix, and finished primary fermentation in tank. Ageing was sur lie in a combination of custom fired fine grain Quercus alba from Nadalie and Bertrange French oak from Treuil.

Tasting Notes: Youthfully vermilion, our 2018 Bismark Zin is a joy ride of aromas and flavors. Raspberry, blackberry, and pomegranate gush to the fore, followed by white pepper, Darjeeling tea, and toasted sesame. By mouth, the fruits abound; joined by candied orange and dried plum. It is further adorned by flavors of bourbon vanilla, pie crust and tang yuan, all of which are wrapped in a mouthfeel that is silky, seamless, and bright. (Tasted 12-5-23)

Variety: 97% Zinfandel, 3% Pinot Noir

Vineyard Location: Bismark Mountain blocks 15 and 7 Zin. Moon Mountain District Sonoma County and Russian River Valley

Age of Vines: 19 years

 

Alcohol: 15.8%

pH: 3.88

Titratable Acidity (TA): 0.58 g/100 mL

Residual Sugar: 0.4%

 

Length/Type of Aging: 8 months in barrel

Oak Types: 43% new American oak coopered by Nadalie. 57% one-year-old French oak coopered by Treuil (Bertrange)

 

Bottling Date: September 6, 2019

Number of Cases: 256

Vegetarian (CAS)