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…
2018 Rockpile Zinfandel
10% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 15% off 12+. Members receive 15% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 20% off 12+.
TASTING NOTE
Ruby, purple color, nose of licorice, raspberry and toasty oak. On the palate, rich blackberry fruit, chalky tannins and a long spicy finish. JO (2/20)
WINEMAKER VIDEO
LOCATION
Botticelli Vineyard, Rockpile AVA, Sonoma County
HISTORY
Botticelli is a 60-acre mountain vineyard located approximately 1,200 feet above Lake Sonoma in the famous Rockpile appellation, which sits at the far western reaches of Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. The history of Rockpile is a rich one, beginning with the Pomo tribe, pre-1850, who called the region ‘kabe-chana,’ meaning place with many rocks. Throughout the early 1900s, the land was used largely for sheep ranches. It wasn’t until the creation of the Lake Sonoma Reservoir in the 1980s that the property truly emerged as the impressive grape growing region it is today. Shortly after, in 2002, the Rockpile AVA was established. The current owners, Arthur and Susan Biedermann, planted 10 acres of zinfandel and petite sirah in 1997. Due to an inversion layer originating from Lake Sonoma, the Botticelli vineyard receives ample sunlight throughout the growing season and less fog than nearby regions, leading to the production of high quality wine grapes.
RECENT PRESS
94 Points – JebDunnuck.com
“The 2018 Zinfandel Rockpile offers a rich, meaty style that carries lots of mulled plum and black cherry fruits, notes of smoked game, forest floor, chocolate, and bouquet garni, medium to full body, and a rounded, mouthfilling style on the palate. One of the more dense, concentrated wines in the lineup, it’s a stunning wine that’s going to evolve for at least a decade.”
PAIRINGS
With the cooler weather officially here, we turn to heartier dishes to pair with our favorite wines. We love pairing this recipe for Braised Beef Short Ribs with Gremolata with a full-bodied, spicy zinfandel like our 2018 Rockpile.
Occasion
Fall Weekend Dinner