Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Zinfandel Advocates and Producers Tasting

Fruity. Spicy. Powerful.”, were the words heard around the Deerfield table at the 2012 Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) Tasting, as Winemaker Robert Rex quickly filled the glasses of the boisterous Zin-thusiasts. These adjectives, used by Winemaker Robert Rex, describe the varietal that Deerfield Ranch Winery is increasingly becoming known for “Zinfandel”. The wines Robert was describing were the “fruity” 2007 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, the “spicy” 2008 White Perry Zinfandel and the “powerful” 2007 Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel.  As Robert Rex explains it, “We’ve learned more from making Zinfandel than any other wine.” The challenges brought on by the Old Vine Zinfandel have called for new techniques to be created and old ones to be honed. With this experience, the other Zinfandels have become more balanced, better tasting and more intriguing over time. Our Zinfandels were once again received positively by the tasters at this years ZAP event. It became common-place at the Deerfield booth to hear, “This is the best Zinfandel I’ve tasted today”. With over 200 wineries present, this was quite the compliment. So what exactly has made Deerfield ‘Famous for our Zinfandel’?

If accolades determine what is ‘famous’, then this is part of the answer. Deerfield has received various awards for Zinfandels over the years. For 12 out of the past 15 years we have recieved 90 - 95 Points in the Wine Enthusiast for our Old Vine Zinfandels. The current release 2007 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel and the 2007 Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel won Gold medals in this year’s Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Other recent reviews and awards for Deerfield Zinfandels include: Best Pick in blind tasting by the Tennessean Magazine and silver in the 2010 SF Chronicle Wine Competition for the 2006 Old Vine Zinfandel; Best Red Wine in the 2010 Winefest in Edmonton, Canada and Wine of the Show in the Rocky Mountain Food and Wine Festival for the 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel. These awards are definitely appreciated and something the Deerfield family is proud of - but as Robert Rex says “ We are not in the business of accumulating awards”. There is more to what makes Deerfield Zinfandels both spectacular and special. Just look at the history.

The first Zinfandel in America was planted in Sonoma Valley in 1850, the White Perry Vineyard is on the very same property as the first Zinfandel Vineyard. The Deerfield 2007 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel has 38% of its grapes from the White Perry Vineyard. The rest of the fruit is from the Los Chamizal Vineyard which is a stones throw from the first planting. This heritage brings an abundance of quintessential Zinfandel flavors such as dark berry fruit and white pepper. As Robert puts it, “If you want to know what Zinfandel should taste like, this is it.” Our Old Vine Zinfandel comes from vines that have been producing grapes for 125 years. We have been making wine from these vines for over 30 years. This powerful Old Vine Zinfandel is a challenge to produce. The vines don’t ripening evenly, the grapes lack sufficient nutrients for the yeast and high alcohol causing the fermentation to stop or stick before all the sugar is converted. These problems have taught us how to make great Zinfandel. As you can see, Deerfield Zinfandels have a rich and rare history to back them up. This history brings along with it characteristics that make the wine very special.

The positive reviews, top awards and rich history Deerfield Zinfandel carries with it are merely additions to what makes all Deerfield wines what they are. Our motto at Deerfield is “Taste The Passion”. We use the best barrels and grapes that come from growers that are just as dedicated as us, we triple hand-sort the grapes, use the most gentle production techniques, experiment with the latest ideas while operating from the foundation of tradition. The wines are lovely in appearance, fruity in the nose, balanced and delicious. Deerfield wines are also clean, meaning they have very low histamines and sulfite levels so that they produce no headaches or allergic reactions. Essentially, Deerfield Zinfandels are spectacular Deerfield representatives, but try them all!

No comments:

Post a Comment