Old Vine Mendocino Zinfandel is a treasure. Grown on the benchlands and slopes of mountainsides — this 68+ year old vine Zinfandel was named for these wild- looking vines and also for the uninoculated, or “wild,” yeast ferment that was used to create it. It takes a lot of effort to tame this wild fruit, but it is worth all the trouble. Wild Thing is dangerously good! Remember – you are what you drink ….
Winemaker Notes:
Aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and raspberry fruit combine with a hint of cigar box, and vanilla-oak baking spice loveliness. Smoothly textured in mouth, and the palate is very creamy and round, with a finish that is long with lush jammy fruit.
Technical Notes:
As usual, our Wild Thing Zinfandel went through fermentation uninoculated, relying on a healthy WILD yeast population from the organic vineyard to create a terroir-driven complexity of aroma and flavors. Our wild fermentation started after a 3-day cold soak and was followed by a 20-25-day maceration. The must was déléstaged (pronounced 'del-ess-TAHJd) at least two times prior to the wine reaching 12-15°Brix. That is the fancy, French term for a rack and return—a process that aerates the wine, helps to maintain a healthy yeast population, and builds mouthfeel volume with gentle extraction from the skins.
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Harvest Date:
- September 14 and October 5, 10-19, 2022
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Average TA/pH at Harvest:
- 0.60 TA/3.54 pH
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Cellar Storage/Aging:
- 12 months in oak barrels. 10% new and 1-yr-old American, 90% 2-yr-old and older (13% French and 87% American).
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Varietal:
- 76% Old Vine Zinfandel, 14% Old Vine Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah
***Sustainably Farmed and Organically Grown
***THIS IS THE 4th VINTAGE WITH ORGANIC GRAPES ON THE BACK LABEL!
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Appellation:
- 85% Mendocino County, 10% Sonoma County, 5% Contra Costa Co.
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Release Date:
- January 8, 2025
