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Seghesio `Old Vine` Sonoma County Zinfandel -California wine.
Producer
The Seghesio Zinfandels have been scooping Gold medals and Trophies for years now. Their accolades in the Decanter World Wine Awards and IWC prove to an international market that their Zins not only measure up to the competition, but are in the top rank...
Now owned by Crimson Wine Group, who‘s primary focus is on estate-grown wines from some of California and Oregon‘s most prestigious producers, Seghesio remains focused on its family roots, with Pete overseeing viticulture and his cousin Ted making the wines. Italian consultant Alberto Antonini has helped them over the years to improve the quality of their Sangiovese (sourced from the oldest Sangiovese vineyards in California) and his influence can also be seen in the ripe, juicy, approachable style of Zinfandel which has become their hallmark.
Vineyards
For Old Vine Zinfandel only the finest lots from Seghesio`s oldest vineyards are selected. The benchmark for `Old Vines` for Seghesio is fifty years and the average age of the vines producing this wine is close to 90 years. The grapes come from old head-pruned vineyards in Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Old vines produce smaller clusters and berries while providing more uniform growth. Even so, crop thinning at 75% and 95% veraison removes latent, stacked and weak shoot clusters.
Vintage Information
2008 was challenging with a second year of drought, a freeze at bloom and high winds during fruit set that literally blew some of the crop off the vines. Prior to harvest, ten consecutive days over 100°, followed by a dry lightning storm, set much of California ablaze and had grape growers on edge. These conditions pushed maturity levels. Harvest was from August 29 - September 29, 2008.
Vinification
100% of the grapes were fermented in small, open-top fermenters with regular punch-down followed by malolactic fermentation in barrels. The wine was barrel-aged for 15 months in 95% French (20% new barrels) and 5% American oak.
Tasting Notes
Deeply perfumed aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries and Old Vine Zin`s intrinsic briary spiciness. Boysenberry pie and red plums mingle for juicy mid-palate synthesis. A hint of French oak seasoning adds dimension to this concentrated, opulent and well balanced wine.
| Vintage |
2008 |
| Grape varieties |
100% Zinfandel |
| Region |
Sonoma County, California |
| Winemaker |
Ted Seghesio |
| Closure |
Cork |
| Alcohol (ABV) |
15.5% |
