Zinfandel The Railyard Alexander Valley – 2017

• A “trig” has been used for many years to establish boundary lines. Trigonometrical stations were set on the top of hills and used as surveying sites. Just as my father was a land surveyor and used these trigs as a reference, so do I when it comes to well-known vineyard sites.
• The Railyard Vineyard sits just north of the town of Geyserville and was planted in pre-phylloxera times on St. George rootstock. Vines planted on this “old fashioned” rootstock show more vigor than when planted on the more modern AXR1 type. St. George also requires much less water, a key benefit.

• 2017 felt more like a normal year in Sonoma County versus 2016
• Budbreak came a bit early despite the cool spring
• A very mild summer followed and ripening was slow and steady. We did receive 2 heat spikes which pushed things along nicely
• The hang time was also different to the previous vintage and also very good. Perfect for flavor and tannin development with sugars staying in check
• The clusters filled out with berries growing more normal in size
• Harvest was a little later than the past few vintages and harvest was a little compressed

Our goal is to make a balanced Zinfandel. One with luscious fruit and an alcohol level that lets you enjoy two glasses without feeling it. This one hits the mark, starting with fresh black cherry aromas accented by black pepper. The palate offers juicy blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry, and finishes with a touch of mocha. The supple fine-grain tannins temper the wine’s beautiful depth and concentration. Drinkable now, or over the next 10 years.

88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah; alcohol 14.5%; soils: deep fine sandy loam, vine age: planted in 1983 on St. George rootstock; aged in 15% new French oak for 16 months.

• 88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• TA: 5.7 g/L
• pH: 3.6
• Yield: 5.0 tons/acre
• Aging: 15% new French oak for 16 months