2014 Black Glass Zinfandel
Blend Composition | 100% Zinfandel
Appellation | Estate St. Helena Vineyard
Harvest Date | September 23
Finished pH | 3.89
Finished TA | 5.6 g/L
Alcohol by Volume | 14.8%
Production | 239 cases
VINTAGE
The 2014 harvest got an early start due to warm and wet weather in February and March. Though the precipitation did nothing to ease our long-term fears regarding the water supply, it did allow the vines to get a healthy start to the season.
The rest of the season progressed dreamily, with few extremes of temperature. Harvest was on track to get an early start—and it did—but cool mornings in August slowed down ripening, giving the grapes more time to develop flavors.
WINEMAKING
Our estate Black Glass Vineyard Zinfandel takes its name from the obsidian that surfaces in the vineyard after each rain. In the winery we treat our Zinfandel as gently as our Sangiovese. We ferment in open top tanks and gently punch down twice each day. When the fermentation is complete the wine matures in neutral French oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
This wine offers aromas of rose petal and violets, raspberry, cherry compote and boysenberry. Medium bodied, the wine has lively acidity with brambly blackberry flavors and a spicy finish with hints of sandalwood, allspice, vanilla and cocoa.
PAIRINGS
This wine will pair beautifully with prosciutto and melon, cracked Dungeness crab, grilled halibut, or a pasta primavera with fava beans.