Monthly Spotlight
Each month we spotlight one of our small-production, single-vineyard wines with a deep dive into the vineyard location, property history, wine style and pairing preferences. This month, our monthly spotlight is…
2017 Ponzo Zinfandel
10% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 15% off 12+. Members receive 15% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 20% off 12+.
TASTING NOTE
Nose of raspberry, guava and floral notes. Bright cherry fruit on the palate with refreshing acidity, elegant tannins and finishes with an accent of pepper. JO (7/19)
WINEMAKER VIDEO
LOCATION
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
HISTORY
Bob Ponzo has farmed these vines in the Russian River Valley for over 40 years. The vineyard, planted on deep gravelly loam soils, is four and a half miles south of Lytton Springs. Here, the Russian River Valley’s cooler microclimate ripens the grapes later than at Lytton Springs and Geyserville. Small amounts of petite sirah are interplanted with zinfandel in the oldest block.
RECENT PRESS
95 Points – Wine & Spirits:
A roseate red, this is the pinot noir of zinfandel. The variety accounts for 98 percent of the blend (there’s only a touch of petite sirah) and the wine transforms the thin skins of zin into a delicate, transparent structure, displaying clarity in the tannins with notes of raspberry seeds and crushed black peppercorns. It has the kind of tannins that would meld into eggplant tapenade with grilled lamb. The lasting flavors of raspberry and apple skin glow red, with wine’s energy and stamina pumped up with luscious grape gentleness. A California beauty.
93 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
92 Points – Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
PAIRINGS
Food
A warming bowl of Spaghetti Puttanesca is a perfect complement to our Ponzo Zinfandel. Keep it vegetarian or dress it up and add sausage for a heartier dish.
Occasion
Elevated Weeknight Dinner