2005 Zinfandel "Southern Exposure"

Winemaker’s Notes:

The “Southern Exposure” designation for our wines denotes that we feel the wine has very special qualities. We feel the 2005 Zinfandel sourced from the very best Shenandoah Valley vineyards, including the Grandpere and Gunther, is worthy of this designation. The Gunther vineyard is approximately 40 years old while the original Grandpere vineyard contains vines over 138 years old. Their roots quietly dug deep down into granitic soils once again, as they have for over a century, to produce exceptionally complex fruit.

We took this fruit and utilized our thoroughly modern stainless steel Submerged Cap Fermentation Tanks to fully extract every nuanced flavor from the berries. We then aged the wine in primarily French oak. Throughout the process we were careful to minimize harsh tannins, while still providing a solid backbone for ageing potential.

Deeply ruby in color the wine has an elegant nose that begins with blackberries and dark cherries. Under this dark fruit are opulent layers of vanilla and mocha. Dig further and be rewarded with cracked black pepper, humus, eucalyptus, and truffle. On the palate the wine explodes with brier and black pepper. The crescendo of complexity is balanced out by soft tannins and a lingering dark fruit and cocoa finish.

Varietal Content:

89.8% Zinfandel, Shenandoah Valley
10.2% Petit Sirah, Estate Grown Shenandoah
980 Cases Produced
Bottled 1/25/2007