2001 Zinfandel, Casa Santinamaria “Old Vine”

Vineyard:
Planted before the turn of the previous century on one of the most magnificent sites in all of Sonoma Valley, Casa Santinamaria is one of only a few ‘field blended'  vineyards remaining in California. Due to the age of the vines and the fact that they have been dry farmed, the yields are low, the clusters are very small and the fruit is very concentrated. In 2001 we were able to harvest only 0.5 tons/acre. This wine, a classic field blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro, represents the often unrealized elegance and complexity that we feel great zinfandel is capable of.

Winemaking:
In 2001 the brix at harvest was approximately 26 when the fruit was right to pick. The fruit was picked with optimum care, in small bins and in the cool of the day. The grapes were de-stemmed into an open-top fermenter (95% whole berry), “cold-soaked” for 24 hours, and inoculated with a low rate of yeast - this allows the “wild yeast” to have an effect before the cultured yeast takes over. After fermentation began, we punched-down 3 to 4 times daily. The “must” was pressed at approximately zero brix and allowed to finish fermentation in tank. After fermentation was completed, the wine was racked to new and one year old French barrels. The wine was aged for 22 months.

Tasting Notes:
The 2001 Casa Santinamaria Zinfandel has an intense raspberry and dried cranberry signature that seems to run from year to year along with black cherry/berry, dark chocolate and sweet elegant oak tones. On the mouth this wine has great structure with abundant dried raspberry flavors.

Case Production : 310 cases
Retail Price : $30/Bottle

Wine Spectator - 90 points
“Supple and concentrated, a soulful wine with fine intensity to roasted plum, dried berry and fresh herb flavors. Vibrant spice and fruit tones weave through ripe tannins on the cedar-scented finish.”

winereviewonline.com - 93 points
"The intensity and complexity of fruit off these 100-year-old vines reflects beautifully the character and attraction of true "old-vine" Zinfandel."

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