San Lorenzo 'Rock Garden' Zinfandel 2018

Purchased in 1896 with ten gold coins earned working in California’s goldmines, Peter Seghesio's great grandfather began working the included Zinfandel vineyards on the San Lorenzo property.  Peter still works these vineyards today, producing world class Zinfandels.  The Rock Garden is named for is characteristic smattering of large boulders and river stones that help the vines struggle, in turn producing incredible fruit.

Composition:  Zinfandel

Tasting Notes:  Dusty black & blue berries waft from the glass with just a hint of nutmeg.  Rich, juicy blackberry and plum envelop the palate, yielding only to structured but soft tannins and a bouquet of baking spices like cinnamon and allspice. Each subsequent sip builds on these flavors and boosts the overall experience.  This wine will easily age and improve over the next 8-10 years.

Pairings:  Griddled quail breast with cornbread, dark roux seafood gumbo, roasted mushrooms, barbecued brisket, pan seared duck breast, and baked brie with blueberry compote.

Winemaking: Grapes are harvested at night, double sorted, then placed in small 4-ton, open-top tanks where they cold-soak for five days at 55°F. Gentle pump-overs ensue until day six when we turn off the cooling and inoculate to begin fermentation. Fermentation will last for 10-12 days on the skins with punch down and pump over each day. Total time on skins will last 16-18 days allowing for slow and careful extraction. The new wine and cap are drained and then gently pressed at never over 1 Bar to reduce extraction of harsh tannins. Ages in 100% Francois Freres (1/3 each new, one-year old and two-year old French oak barrels.) The wine is always bottled unfined, unfiltered, and never cold stabilized.

Case Production:  312 cases

Winemaker: Peter Seghesio

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