2017 Flatridge Ranch Zinfandel, Sonoma Coast
The 2017 harvest will be remembered as a near perfect vintage for most winegrowers. Spring rains meant that the vines had plenty of reserves to work with during bud break and the flowering seasons. The summer months were warm and mild creating ideal growing conditions. Things warmed up in September hastening the harvest season. All in all, while yields came in on par with previous years, quality across all varietals was outstanding.
Retail: $40
Winemaking
The Flatridge Ranch Zinfandel is a unique wine and vineyard. The vineyard was planted with a selection of Zinfandel sourced from a 100-year-old vineyard next to the St. Peter’s Church in the northern Sonoma County town of Cloverdale. The church’s vineyard has been the source of plant material for many well-known producers of Zinfandel in the Rockpile Appellation of Sonoma County. The wine was made in small open top fermenters in a style similar to Pinot Noir. The cap was hand plunged three to four times daily. The wine was made with a premium yeast strain which was selected from a Rockpile variety of Syrah.
Tasting Notes
Fresh baked blueberry pie cooling on a window sill is the image that comes to mind with this wine. The 2017 vintage is soft and supple with a never ending finish. Notes of rosemary and sage mingle with dark, ripe berries uniting in a flavor bomb exploding with layers of rich fruit, baking spice and earthiness.