2013 Dutton Goldfield Morelli Lane Vineyard Zinfandel

This Zinfandel is from the Russian River Valley and is just a small 1.8 acre block of head-trained, dry-farmed vines planted in the 18th century. It went unfarmed for years but was revived in 1995 and now produces roughly 564 cases annually.

The aromas of this wine are reminiscent of mixed berry pie, butter pie crust, boysenberry, subtle hints of dried herb, and oak/cedar. It's a rather young wine still and I expect to see developing aromas once the oak and vanilla type notes integrate a bit more. Russian River Zinfandel tends to have great aromatic expression being that it is a cool climate for Zinfandel to grow in.

On the palate the wine shows flavors of blackberry jam, dried black currant, cedar box, and sweet tobacco. The tactile impression is sleek, but with a good dose of alcohol. The finish is medium in length. A very young and expressive wine that I suspect needs a bit more time in bottle before it's ready to be enjoyed at it's prime. 90 points