2014 Grist Vineyard Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
VINEYARD: Originally settled by an Italian family in the late 1800s, Grist Vineyard is now owned by Sonoma County’s Hambrecht family. This Dry Creek Valley property is on the northwestern slope of Bradford Mountain at an elevation of 1,000 feet, where the volcanic, red soils are reminiscent of Tuscany’s terra rosa. We source Zinfandel fruit from 30 acres planted in 1974. Though there is some debate, the Zinfandel vines are thought to be from the “mother” blocks planted in 1900, the Hambrecht/Mead Atlas Peak clones.
TASTING NOTES: Intoxicating aromas black cherry, huckleberry, cassis, violets and anise burst from the glass in waves, and then the wine explodes on the palate with lively fruit and savory flavors of rhubarb, clove, bay leaf, raspberry jam, ripe red plums, sagebrush and cocoa. The bright berry flavors, spice and flower petals are all perfect examples of Zinfandel varietal character, while the intense cherry, the savory, earthy characteristics, firm tannins and vibrant acidity and all examples ofall that is great about Dry Creek Zinfandel.
Grist Vineyard
DISTANCE FROM WINERY
17.3 miles
SIZE
51 acres planted to Zinfandel
GROWERS
Hambrecht, OwnerChris Walden, Vineyard Manager
VARIETALS SOURCED HERE
Zinfandel
CLONE/ROOTSTOCK INFO
Zinfandel: Heritage selection (Mead Atlas Peak), planted on St. George rootstock
SOILS
Boomer loam and Stonyford loam
SITE DESCRIPTION
Originally settled by an Italian family in the late 1800s, Grist Vineyard (formerly known as Bradford Mountain) is now owned by the Hambrecht family. Located on the northwestern side of Dry Creek Valley at about 1,000 feet elevation, the site’s volcanic, red soils are reminiscent of Tuscany’s terra rosa. The Zinfandel vines are thought to be from the “mother” blocks planted in 1900 to the Hambrecht/Mead Atlas Peak clone.
FRUIT CHARACTER
Zinfandel: Complex, aromatic and intense, dark fruit aromas of blackberry and Marion berry with layers of cardamom, Asian spices and robust tannins
92 Points
Wine & Spirits
"This is a refreshing Dry Creek zin from a hillside in the northwest corner of the appellation, the wine buzzing with sunny fruit-basket exuberance (raspberry, peach, plum…) and touching on woodsy spice. It strikes a fine balance between zin’s warming alcohol and tart acidity, so the flavors hang on with a brisk persistence."– February 2017
Vineyard(s): Girst Vineyard
Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Aging: 14 months in 40% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH / T.A.: 3.38 / 6.9gm/L
Production: 381 cases
Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Aging: 14 months in 40% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH / T.A.: 3.38 / 6.9gm/L
Production: 381 cases
In Stock
SCORE
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
