Nose
The 2012 Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel is a wine with a beautiful depth of flavor and intensity. The aromas of fresh raspberry and boysenberry are balanced with notes of cracked pepper and spice.
Palate
Blackberry, nutmeg and mocha flavors lead into an 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 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 gentle handling techniques in the making of this Zinfandel. The fruit is all hand-harvested and then hand-sorted at the winery. The juice then goes through a pre-fermentation cold soak, followed by fermentation in small, open top fermenters. The wine is then aged for 10 months all French oak barrels.
Aging
Aged for 10 months all French oak barrels, 30% new.
