Scherrer Winery Scherrer Vineyard Old & Mature Vines Zinfandel 2017
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Winemaker Notes
The range of fruit characteristics run from red raspberries and blueberries to a little bit of blackberry, with their signature fresh loam nuance and slight herbal notes. This vintage also shows a mild black pepper aroma that folds into something hinting of the ‘Rutherford Dust’ note used to describe Cabernet Sauvignon. On the mouth, the wine is medium-full bodied with a very crisp, upward trajectory of surprising length. There is a constant and gentle salivary response throughout.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2017 Zinfandel Old & Mature Vines Scherrer Vineyard is fascinating to taste next to the other Zinfandels in the range. The Old & Mature Vines is fresher and brighter, with less overt fruit and a striking sense of translucency. Hints of leather, cedar, spice, menthol and licorice add nuance, but it is the wine's energy that stands out most. What a pretty wine this is.
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Wine Spectator
Shows lots of old-school appeal, with briary cherry, white pepper and anise flavors that move along the finish at a snappy pace. Drink now through 2028.
Other Vintages
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Connoisseurs'
Guide
Sometimes we bottle wines from single vineyards, or even blocks within a vineyard. Usually, these vineyard designates are the synthesis of multiple sub-sites within a given vineyard. Sometimes we bottle ‘Appellation wines’ that are also single vineyard sourced but happen not to have unusually specific geographic personality beyond being delicious examples of their appellation. These Appellation wines are the result of blending carefully selected vineyard sites to achieve balance and harmony. Occasionally, such as with our Zinfandoodle, we blend between two vintages to achieve this balance and harmony. If any parcels are left over that are not assets to these wines, they find a home in someone else’s program, rather than ours.”
-Fred Scherrer
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.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.