Nose
The aromas of fresh blackberry, blueberry and black cherry are balanced with hints of cracked pepper and allspice.
Palate
The 2014 Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel is a wine with a beautiful depth of flavor and intensity. Blackberry, nutmeg and mocha flavors lead into an intense, elegant and silky finish.
Growing Conditions
The Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel is a blend of old-vine, dry-farmed and low-yielding Zinfandel vineyards from the Russian River Valley. These old vineyards (average vineyard age is over 100 years) offer an impressive articulation of this idiosyncratic varietal. Zinfandel grown in the Russian River Valley is distinctive due to a cool maritime influence. Bright, natural acidity and vibrant fruit aromas and flavors are a result of typically cool, fog-laden nights and warm days. These dry-farmed vineyards, planted on low-fertility soils, consistently produce wines of exceptional density and extraction.
Winemaking
To preserve exotic spice and bright berry flavors, we use the same gentle handling techniques for making Zinfandel that we use with Pinot Noir: • All hand harvested with hand sorting of both clusters and berries at the winery • Pre-fermentation cold soak, indigenous yeast fermentations in small open-top fermenters • Aged for 9 months in all French oak barrels • No fining or filtrationThese artisan winemaking techniques allow the varietal character of Zinfandel to show through and express the Russian River Valley terroir.
Aging
9 months, 100% French oak, 41% new
