2003 "R" Zinfandel

Nostro Vino Vineyard, Amador County

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The Nostro Vino Vineyard is located on Steiner Road in Amador County's Shenandoah Valley. Tom Dillian's Zinfandel Vineyard faces due north and is almost six hundred feet higher than the Massoni Ranch plantings, the home of the "Z" Zinfandel. Tom's vineyard is one of the last to ripen in Amador County. In doing so the grapes ripen slowly and the sugar climbs higher before the flavors are balanced and we harvest the grapes. This translates to a bigger more tannic wine than the "Z" Zinfandel. Aficionados of the Amador Style of Zinfandel often find the Nostro Vino edition more to their liking than the softer, more elegant "Z."

The 2003 vintage scored 94 points and earned a gold medal at the 2005 California State Fair. The 2003 edition has a carmine ruby color with mature hues. The aroma is classic briary Zinfandel; warm ripe raspberries, plums and black pepper with a hint of dust. The bouquet offers up just enough vanilla to add complexity and richness. The flavors deliver juicy raspberry and plums with plenty of peppery spice. Richly textured, the wine finishes with chocolaty oak. Good tannins along with a low pH and deep flavors will allow for successful aging.

Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
14.5% Alc.
0.74 g/100ml TA 3.48 pH

Oak Regime:
35% French Oak
35% American Oak
30% Neutral Oak

Released: September 1, 2005
185 Cases Produced
Suggested Retail Price: $22