2010 Macauley "Old Vine" Zinfandel, Napa Valley

VARIETAL        87% "Old Vine" Zinfandel
                     13% Petite Sirah
VINEYARDS      35% Yountmill Vineyard, Oakville
                      29% Nichelini Vineyard, Chiles Valley
                      23% Luvisi Vineyard, Calistoga
                      13% Trio C Vineyard, Yountville
APPELLATION   Napa Valley
AGING             16 months in 35% new American and French Oak casks
ALCOHOL         15.4%
BOTTLED          March 29, 2012, unfined and unfiltered
PRODUCTION     375 cases

NOTES BY KIRK VENGE, WINEMAKER
This is perhaps the smoothest, silkiest and most seductive tasting Zinfandel I’ve ever made. I would strive to produce this exact bottling every year were it so easily done. The color is an amazing and dark garnet followed by richness and ripeness found in Zins that come only ever so often. The aromatics are well stacked in the glass beginning with sweet red fruit and flowed by barrel vanillin and sweet cocoa. Lastly the typical Zin white pepper and spice finds its place in the furthermost layers of the nose. Moving from the aromatics to the first taste, getting to enjoy this wine is a much anticipated event. The flavors are a pleasant twist of blackberry, vanilla, cassis and sweet density from old vine age supported by the oak. Tannin and acid are interlaced as well offering plenty for this rich Zinfandel to support itself upon. The overall is a polished and pleasing wine that rides the fine line of ripeness with textured mouthfeel and finish that satisfies for over 45 seconds after the first taste. I would anticipate this wine drinking well from inception to 2019 and well beyond.