2017 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 2017: A welcome, very wet winter filled reservoirs. Spring frost was absent. A relatively dry, cool spring led into a summer with alternating cool and very hot periods. Blocks that were blooming during extremes suffered some shatter but overall the crop size was average. A temperate August was followed by a Labor Day heat wave that pushed harvest into high gear. We harvested our Bismark Mountain Zin from blocks 7 and 15 on September 6, 2017 at an average brix of 29.1 o. . Winemaking: Our 2017 Bismark Zinfandel was destemmed and cold soaked for four days in stainless steel tanks. It was inoculated with a non-saccharomyces yeast (Torulaspora) and then, four days later inoculated with a commercial Saccharomyces (eight-day total cold soak). It was drained and pressed at 9.5 Brix, and finished primary fermentation in tank. Ageing was sur lie in a combination of custom fired fine grain Q. alba from Nadalie and subsequent ageing in French oak from Trust and Boutes.
Tasting Notes: Bright Ruby, this wine has matured, developing notes of sage, bay, cherry and blackberry, coconut, and vanilla. Flavors are reminiscent of cherry, light amber maple syrup and dried Ancho and black pepper. It’s polished and juicy mouthfeel finishes with a crescendo of red raspberry fruit. (Retasted 11-9-21)
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Vineyard Location: Bismark Mountain blocks 15 and 7 Zin. Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
Age of Vines: 12-18 years
Alcohol: 15.8%
pH: 3.67
Titratable Acidity (TA): 0.64 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar: 0.4%
Avg. Brix at Harvest: 29.1o
Length/Type of Aging: 10 months in barrel.
Oak Types: American oak coopered by Nadalie, French oak coopered by Trust and Boutes
Bottling Date: August 8, 2018
Number of Cases: 522
Vegetarian (CAS)