Waterstone Zinfandel Napa Valley 2008 is made from 100 percent Zinfandel

Vintage: Mother Nature provided a dramatic vintage in 2008. Due to a dry Spring, vines pushed early and fell victim to one of the longest and deepest frost periods in decades. Shortly thereafter, during bloom, temperatures soared and further damaged the potential crop, resulting in fewer clusters and smaller berries. The Summer season proved cool, but gave us a week of high temperatures around Labor Day that threw the cellar into a breakneck pace with many early-ripening varieties. The season ended with relatively cool temperatures, providing some much-needed hangtime for Cabernet Sauvignon . Overall, the vintage was marked by low yields, yet high quality; the wines are proving to be well-structured, concentrated, and elegant.

Vineyards: This Zinfandel is sourced from the Truchard Vineyard in Napa Valley’s Carneros region. The vines hug the hillside, and benefit from deep, alluvial soils and good sun exposure.

Vinification: Vineyards were hand-picked at the peak of maturity. Following harvest, the grapes were gently crushed and fermented. The wines were then aged in small French oak barrels with extended lees contact for twenty-one months. Only 30% new barrels were used to maintain maximum fruit flavors with just a hint of toasty oak.

Tasting Notes: This bold Zinfandel has great structure and finesse. Aromas of ripe currant, blackberry and cedar lead to jammy flavors of black cherry and cranberry with a hint of black pepper.