By Mockingbird Hill
Reserve Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County 2017

Vineyard
Zinfandel is the flagship grape of Dry Creek Valley. While first planted in the 1850s, today, there are 2500 acres planted here. This totals half of the Zinfandel planted in Sonoma County -concentrated in the smallest of the four major Sonoma County appellations. Neighbors include Dry Creek Vineyard, Quivira, Sbragia, Rafanelli, and Talty. The vineyards here benefit from warm days and cool fog-infused nights, which develops the best in wine grapes bringing balance to the glass. There are six vineyards sourced for the Mockingbird Hill Reserve located on hillsides and benches in the northern, warmer end of the valley. They range in age from 15 to over 50 years old and are planted in rocky soils and gravelly loam. These head-pruned vines are picked at the optimum moment when there is a balance of ripeness, acidity, and phenolics.

Winemaking
The spiciness of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is highlighted in this wine. Picked over the first week of September, the optimal harvest time resulted in rich, ripe fruit. Vinification included daily pump-overs of juice, a lengthy fermentation followed by barrel aging. Twelve months in new and seasoned American oak barrels adds the right amount of time to soften the tannins while adding complexity to the finished wine. The addition of Petite Sirah, an important part of the blend, adds structure and balance to the rich fruit.

Tasting Notes
Aromatic with a combination of ripe berries, toasty oak, and cinnamon. The Dry Creek Valley dynamic of spiced berries is matched by hints of cocoa and red plum. The spicy finish is highlighted by bright acidity, rounded tannins, and lingering flavors.

Technical Information
Composition: 80% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah
Alcohol: 15.00%
[Information provided by J.H.N.]