Day El Diablo Vineyard Zinfandel 2016
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Wilfred
Wong -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Day El Diablo Vineyard Zinfandel is elegant and styling from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows extraction before play nicely on the palate and in the finish. Pair its well-defined aromas and flavors of ripe berries and anise accents with grilled tri-tip. (Tasted: May 13, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
From a site in the Russian River Valley, the 2016 Zinfandel El Diablo Vineyard just about screams “Zinfandel” at the top of its lungs with its utterly classic perfume of mulberries, plum, incense, and exotic spices. With medium-bodied aromas and flavors, integrated acidity, and a weightless texture, this puppy just glides over the palate and is a joy to drink. It should keep for 7-8 years.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.