Palate
He didn’t go to prep school nor did any of his relatives go to college. He’s the first college grad of his family and from an Ivy League school no less. The 2013 Zinfandel is an inspirational story – where he’s from (the wrong side of the tracks), where he is now and his potential for the future. With no hoity-toity shoes to fill, he is defining what it means to be a Zinfandel and setting a new bar for what Zins can be – boisterous, charismatic and just down right irresistible aromatically, yet complex, layered and crying for cellar age on the palate. Who knows, he might be seen at dinner in the White House one day. He is a true example of the American Dream.
Growing Conditions
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
Stomping Grounds: Bred off of one northeast facing limestone hillside
Paderewski Vineyard:
Travel just west of Paso Robles, and you will find Paderewski Vineyard: 67 acres of undulating, steep, limestone rich hillsides within 570 rural, spring-fed acres. In the early 1900’s, this vineyard was cherished and farmed by world-renowned pianist, Polish diplomat, and vintner, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Fast forward a century, and this property stood forgotten and fallow. Lucky for us, in 2004, we became the stewards of this amazing piece of property.
Planted: 2004 Acreage: 95 under vine, 570 total Soils: limestone, calcareous, rocky pH: low to mid 8 AVA: Paso Robles District: Willow Creek Red Varietals: Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel White Varietals: Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, and Viognier
Bottling
Graduation: Bottled February 2015 | Debut: Released Fall 2015
Winemaking
Gender: Male | Eye Color: Black | Hair Color: Dark Brown | Body Shape: Tall and lean
Rearing: Fermented ~23% whole cluster in concrete and stainless steel tanks
Aspirations: U.S. President | Hobbies: Basketball and politics
Major: Business | Minor: Economics
Aging
Aged for 15 months 34% new French oak barrels and puncheons