"Beautiful bright red in color with serious and complex aromatics. Boysenberry, blackberry pie, and sage with a slightly more Cabernet-like character. The entry on the palate is fruit driven followed by a midpalate full of gentle tannins. The wine finishes with finesse and the length is driven by lasting fruit flavors." – Winemaker's Tasting Notes
APPEARANCE medium ruby
AROMAS & FLAVORS black cherry, blackberry, coffee cake, Earl Grey tea, potting soil, dried herbs
PALATE bright acidity, medium body, velvety tannins, lingering finish
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
Barbecue ribs, Thanksgiving turkey, Autumn stews and braises, dishes with eggplant, mushrooms, and black beans
COMPOSITION
93% Zinfandel and 7% Petite Sirah
PRODUCTION
620 cases
ALCOHOL
15.1%
AGING POTENTIAL
Drink now through 2035
ACCOLADES
93 points – Wine Enthusiast
VINEYARD
Valle di Sotto
ABOUT THE VINEYARD
This Zinfandel comes from our new, CCOF certified Valle Di Sotto vineyard in the heart of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The Oak Knoll District is located at the southern end of the Valley where cooling marine influences create a unique micro-climate that helps the grapes maintain bright fruit flavors and retain acidity.
WINEMAKER NOTES
Hand harvested in the cool morning hours; the fruit is hand sorted before the destemmer. After a three day cold soak, the juice is inoculated with cultured yeast. During fermentation, temperature and extraction are carefully managed. The wine is then pressed off the skins and placed in French oak barrels for aging.
Aging: 14 months in 20% new French Oak barrels
TASTING EVENTS
Join us for SIP Virtual Wine Tasting & Education with Chef John McConnell from Clif Family Winery to learn about the versatility of the Zinfandel varietal, the seasonal food to enjoy with the wine, and how it’s enjoyed at Clif Family Winery. Additionally he will share details about the new experiences at Clif Family Winery’s Enoteca and the approach to elevating food and wine pairings without making the experience too pretentious.
