Broc Cellars Vine Starr Zinfandel 2017
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Wilfred
Wong
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Picked at low brix to highlight acidity, nerve, and fruit on the bright-red spectrum of Zinfandel. Essential aromatics of bramble-brush and spice remind us what we're drinking, but the palate, alive with fresh mouth-watering acidity and subtle nuances of fruit are a departure from the expected. Delicacy, finesse - a distilled, pure eau-de-vie focus of flavor has invigorated our fondness for this often less-than-magnificent variety. Inspired by the wines from Beaujolais and Northern Rhone, we harvested early to highlight acidity and fresh fruit. 100% destemmed and fermented in 5-ton stainless steel tanks. Aged for 10 months in neutral French oak barrels.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: At a point in our history when Zinfandels are often high in alcohol and overpowering on the palate, there exist a few counterpoints. The 2017 Broc Cellars Vine Starr Zinfandel is such a wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine is elegant and alive. Its aromas and flavors of bright berries should partner it well with an oven roasted shoulder of ham. (Tasted: September 25, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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2018-
Wilfred
Wong
We are a 'low wattage' winery in the sense that we have very little modern equipment. Grapes are pitchforked whole-cluster into the fermenters, fermentation is allowed to happen spontaneously, all wines are basket pressed, with little/no sulphur used in our wines until bottling. True asphalt winemaking, in an urban winery.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.