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Tasting Notes
This elegant, Zinfandel-driven “field blend” opens with a fudgy, loamy quality and aromas of blackberry. On the palate, you’ll find notes of red licorice and a broad, rich texture with a slight spiciness. The cola-like mouthfeel entwines dark berry flavors and a velvety acidity, creating an opulent structure and long food-savvy finish.
Vintage Notes
The 2021 growing season saw near-perfect growing conditions. With minimal winter rain, the vines were awakened with ideal moderate springtime temperatures, eliminating any frost threat to the developing buds. Veraison occurred 7-10 days earlier than in previous years due to the temperate weather and minimal rain. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights throughout the summer months, with a few of the regular short-lived heat spikes, allowing for excellent flavor development. The year saw an early harvest, with 90% of the region’s grapes being picked before the late Fall.
Vineyard Notes
Eletto, meaning “the chosen one” pays homage to the heritage old vine vineyards planted over 100 years ago. For this vintage winemaker Katie Madigan chose a variety of top-notch Sonoma County old-vine vineyards to showcase in this spectacular blend. All of the vineyards used were planted in the early 1900s. It was common for these pioneering farmers to ask for cuttings from neighbors and friends to fill out their vineyards. Over time some of the blocks became a traditional “field blend” of over a dozen varieties including Alicante, Petite Sirah and Carignane along with Zinfandel. This field blend, also called “Mixed Blacks”, is picked and fermented together having distinct characteristics including more structure and acid than a traditional Zinfandel blend.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes are hand-sorted and undergo a short cold soak before fermentation to extract optimal color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine is pumped into French oak barrels, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation during its elevage period, before blending and bottling.
