2015 Grgich Hills Zinfandel Napa

The Wine: This gorgeous wine reveals tangy raspberry aromas with notes of underlying black cherry lushness. A subtle touch of strawberry, coupled with a hint of blackberry, lingers gently on the palate. Along with rich, complex flavors which continue to evolve in the glass, this focused Zinfandel has a firm, elegant structure, indicative of its long aging potential. Pair this wine with cevapcici (Croatian sausages), a rack of lamb or steak sandwiches.

Vintage: The growing season started out with unseasonably warm temperatures in the late winter and early spring, triggering early bud break. Colder temperatures in May slowed grape development which, coupled with the fourth year of drought, resulted in a smaller crop in 2015. The harvest was one of our earliest in memory with the berries smaller than usual but packed with flavor and color.

Vineyard: Our 34-acre vineyard above Calistoga is the warmest of our five vineyards and the sole source of our Zinfandel. Its northeast exposure catches abundant morning sun but is shaded from the hot, late afternoon sun and combined with the vineyard’s gravelly loam soil, creates the perfect spot to grow this varietal. We farm all of our vineyards naturally, without artificial pesticides or herbicides, and they are certified organic.

Blend: 97% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Sirah