2006 "Z" Zinfandel
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The "Z" Zinfandel is my 'marquee' wine. It is the wine that launched the Jeff Runquist Wines brand in 1997. I have always been impressed with the fruit that comes from the seventy and eighty year old vines that the Massoni Family planted during prohibition and when I decided to produce wine for myself I returned to Amador County for the grapes. During the 1920s and 1930s the grapes from these vineyards were used by home winemakers and the viticulture industry in Amador County thrived. I look to these old vines for an added dimension of flavor in a wine with a soft rich texture; a combination not often found with Zinfandel. Our objective is to deliver classic Zinfandel varietal character in a balanced and fruit forward wine with moderate levels of alcohol and integrated mature tannins.
The 2006 vintage wine has a deep ruby color with bright youthful purple hues. The aroma is classic Zinfandel with briary raspberry and plum aromas. We use a larger percentage of second fill barrels for the "Z" Zinfandel, and this produces a bouquet that allows the fruit to shine and adds just a waft of hazelnut, vanilla, brown sugar and perhaps even molasses. The flavors of succulent ripe red berries are delivered on a chassis of rich, viscous fluid. The texture of the wine is soft and velvety, reminiscent of fine Pinot Noir.
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Oak Regime: 51% American Oak, 49% French and Hungarian Oak
1,323 Cases Produced
