2012 Wellington Vineyards Zinfandel, Meeks Hilltop Ranch, Sonoma Valley

George and Abby Meeks purchased the historic Hilltop Ranch over twenty years ago.  The ranch had been the site of a pre-Prohibition winery, and still had a small block of ancient vines (a field blend) and a block of Chardonnay that was planted in the 1960’s.  The Chardonnay was a small but important part of our Chardonnay blend from 1995 through 2003.  George started developing unplanted areas and replanting the diseased old vines in 2000, with a couple of different Zinfandel clones and training systems.  Hilltop Ranch now consists of four distinct Zinfandel blocks, each with a unique combination of clone, training system and, most importantly, exposure (ranging from southeast to due west).

Tasting notes (tasted Jan.17, 2017)

• Aromas: Tons of  berry fruit along with a chocolate/coffee/carob note and a hint of brown sugar/caramel.
• Taste: While this wine smells “sweet”, it is actually quite dry, with medium body, moderate tannin and a crisp, slightly tart finish that belies the pH of 3.75 (high TA despite the fairly high pH).
• This is a total fruit bomb aromatically, but more of a food wine as far as structure and balance. Still fresh, fruity and vibrant 18 hours after opening; best over the next few years.

2012 Wellington Vineyards Estate Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley

The soul of our Estate Zinfandel comes from ancient vines planted in 1892. Seventeen years ago we took cuttings from those vines and grafted them on St. George rootstock, trained them with widely spaced spurs, and, as the vines matured, weaned them off irrigation. All of these measures, along with rigorous fruit thinning to limit yields, were taken in order to replicate the quality of fruit from the ancient vines as closely as possible.  We have been combining the young and old vine fruit since 2009.  Because of the tannic intensity of these grapes, we typically barrel age the Estate Zin about as long as we age Cabernet Sauvignon. Historically this wine has been intense, tannic and ungenerous in its youth, only opening up between five and eight years of age. In most vintages this wine is capable of aging beautifully for twenty years or more.

Tasting notes (tasted Jan. 17, 2017)

• Aromas: Closed initially, then deep cherry and briar, black pepper and spice, slight hints of mint and tar. After 18 hours the aroma blossomed, with lots of cherry, raspberry and blackberry, black pepper, and caramel.
• Taste: Rich entry, very full bodied, chewy and concentrated with a long fruity and somewhat tannic finish.
• This wine promises great potential for development with two to ten years of additional aging. Decant with aeration for near term enjoyment.