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Chateau Montelena - Zinfandel 2014
- Producer Chateau Montelena
-
Blend
57% Primitivo
43% Zinfandel - Country USA
- Region California
- Appellation Napa Valley
- UPC 0 15643 25694 3
Tasting notes
"In the glass, the nose is dominated by cocoa, tobacco, and dried cherry. The woodsy, briary character of old vine Zinfandel is quite prominent but with time unmasks beautiful notes of lavender, cassis, and fresh mint. Fresh cranberry, a hallmark of the Primitivo in the blend, mingles with roasted walnut notes and subtle hints of cinnamon and clove. The supple tannins are present throughout and amble between earthiness and minerality. The transition to the finish is decidedly old world in style, with dark chocolate, cigar box, and a garrigue character that’s rare for American wine. Chefs take note."
Estate
Chateau Montelena's rich history began on a chilly fall morning when Alfred L. Tubbs spaded over and inspected the soil where he thought of planting estate vineyards. He'd heard the Napa Valley was the best place to grow grapes in California. A deal was struck and in January of 1882 the San Francisco entrepreneur owned 254 acres of rugged land just two miles north of Calistoga at the base of Mount Saint Helena. The soils are well drained, stony and loose – perfect for the vine cuttings he would plant.
Wine
Produced from grapes grown on the Montelena Estate vineyard, the Zinfandel is a classically-structured, subtle and refined wine.
Vineyard
The vineyard is comprised of varied terrain, from flat to steep hillsides. Extending out from the Napa River is the alluvial soil, the most prevalent type on the property. In the back and outside areas of the vineyard are volcanic soils, formed by ancient lava flows caused by tectonic uplifting. The decades old Zinfandel, planted in craggy volcanic soil, combined with 10 year old vines in cobbly alluvial soil, produces a wine with complex character.
Vinification
The Zinfandel sees a primary ferment in stainless steel and malolactic fermentation in oak. It is then aged in French/Irish/ American oak barrels for 16 months, 20% of which are new.
Vintage
2014 witnessed a mild spring and subsequent temperate summer which led to almost perfect uniformity and allowed Montelena to pick large swathes of the property in quick succession. Flavors remained ripe and rich throughout harvest with the fruit requiring minimal hand-sorting on the crush pad.
