2003 Zinfandel Old Vine
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Grape Variety: 100% Zinfandel

Appellation: Cucamonga Valley

Analysis: Alcohol: 15.9% pH: 3.60 TA: .75g/100ml RS: .50%

Harvest Dates: 9/12/03

Barrel Ageing: 20 months in 2-year-old oak casks

Cases Produced: 916

Tasting Notes
Delicate, fruity aromas of blueberry and cassis mingle with spicy notes of sage and mint. Full-bodied with intense fruit, the lengthy finish is mouth-coating with caramel and chocolate flavor. Perfect with grilled beef or pork, it can also stand alone as an aperitif. Enjoyable now, it will continue to improve with cellar aging for up to five years. Vintage 2003 2003 gave us a difficult growing season, but quality seems to be quite good as a result of judicious vineyard practices throughout the year. A late start in the vineyard because of cool spring temperatures gave way to a warm summer that was marked by several small rain events and a number of heat spikes. The fall weather was very nice, maintaining warm weather that fully ripened everything by the end of October, before the first rains. Overall, the vintage produced wines with loads of fruit and above average ripeness and alcohol levels. Winemaking The few remaining Zinfandel vineyards from the Cucamonga Valley, once the largest grape-growing region in the world, are now over 100 years old, and exhibit classic old-vine characteristics. Long taproots, weak with age, struggle to deliver water from deep aquifers, and you can taste the high mineral content in the wine. Extremely low yields of less than a ton per acre produce an intense, spicy wine. We strive to showcase this unique terroir by gentle handling, and by aging the wine in upright oak tanks, which enhance bouquet and structure development without imparting overt wood flavors.