Rombauer Zinfandel 2018

TASTING NOTES
Our classic California Zinfandel is a purple ruby, with a bright crimson hue. On the nose, concentrated aromas of ripe blackberry and boysenberry meld with black tea, vanilla and spice. Lush flavors of fig, blackberry jam, licorice and vanilla flood the palate, followed by touches of dark chocolate and white pepper in the background. Subtle and round tannins and great length make for a fresh and enticing finish.

VINEYARDS
This wine blends lots from select vineyards in top growing regions: El Dorado County (42%), Amador County (32%), Lake County (17%), Napa County (6%) and Lodi (3%).

WINEGROWING
Good rains in February led to a warm summer, which then turned cool in August, resulting in a later harvest than the last few years. What followed was a long warm fall with near perfect growing conditions and extended hang time. In the end it was one of the longest harvests on record and also above average crop size. Sustainable farming practices throughout the growing season were tailored to each block with the assistance of aerial photos produced using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) technology. The fruit was handpicked at dawn and sorted in the vineyard.

WINEMAKING
The grapes were carefully destemmed and optically sorted to ensure only perfect fruit made it into the wine. A cold soak extracted color and flavor before primary fermentation began in tank. The wine was gently basket-pressed, then racked to oak barrels to finish primary fermentation, malolactic fermentation and aging.

RELEASE DATE
June 2020
APPELLATION
California
VARIETAL COMPOSITION
93% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah
HARVESTED
Sept. 14–Oct. 29th, 2018
AVERAGE BRIX AT HARVEST
26.8
COOPERAGE
16 months in American (10% new) and French Oak

When founders Koerner and Joan Rombauer moved their two children, two horses and five dogs to Napa Valley in 1972, they arrived armed with an appreciation for the intimate relationship between food and wine. Their appreciation stemmed from Koerner'’s great aunt Irma Rombauer having authored internationally renowned cookbook the Joy of Cooking and his ancestors originating from the winegrowing region of Rheingau, Germany, where wine is considered an essential complement to a meal.

Appreciation bred passion, and Rombauer Vineyards was established in 1980. Thirty-five years later, the winery remains owned and operated by first-, second- and third-generation members of the family.