This classic 50/50 two-vineyard blend of Nalle Estate Old Vine Zinfandel and Bernier-Sibary field blend, is a testimony to over 36 years of experience in bottling balanced, flavorful Zin reflective of Dry Creek Valley. The estate 93-year-old vines are dry-farmed and head trained, yielding intense fruit flavors, balanced acidity and structured tannins. Soils here are well-drained, gravelly clay and loam which help to impart layered notes of raspberry and strawberries. The Bernier-Sibary ‘Zinyard’ yields fruit with focused, lively flavors. Harvested and fermented together, the Petite Sirah and Carignane add color and mid-palate strength to complement the brambly, complex flavors. Slightly acidic, fine loamy soils formed from sandstone and found mainly in steep mountainous areas encourage the development of small berries with tempered acidity and weighty tannin structure.
The 2018 growing season was smooth sailing with weather conditions conducive to growing high quality wine grapes. Cooler temperatures at night and no heat spikes allowed for longer hang-time on the vine, leading to wines marked by depth of flavor, greater levels of rounded tannins, balanced acidity and moderate alcohol levels. In a nutshell, 2018 was bountiful and flavorful.
NOSE: Bright complexity of sweet Dry Creek blackberry bramble, blueberry and a mineral note. Classic French oak expression leads into nutmeg, brown sugar, cardamon, caramel and plum spice.
TASTE: Burst of fresh summer fruits: ripe strawberries, raspberries, dark red cherry, cranberry compote, pomegranate and fresh cut stone fruit. There is a juicy depth of flavor, as well as being refreshing and complex. Bone dry and porch sippin’ good.
MOUTHFEEL: Seamless mid-weight tannins, a fine Dry Creek ‘dustiness’ similar to cocoa powder. Cohesive, nostalgic and refined. Velvety structure, and layered with refreshing acidity. Youthful structure and straightforward fruit opens up to multidimensional complexity.
FINISH: Classic Nalle style, gracefully bold with a little pop.
Bottled August 2019
Cases Produced 720
Alcohol 13.9 %
pH 3.56
TA 6.6 g/L
