Sonoma Zinfandel 2022

This cuvée expresses the diversity of Sonoma County, in California. The grapes come from more than 150 plots spread across Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Part comes from the estate's sustainably certified vineyards, complemented by grapes from long-standing partners, to create a broad, nuanced take on Sonoma Zinfandel.

The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified separately in small lots, totalling more than 150 fermentations. Skin maceration lasts 7 to 12 days, with pump-overs, rack-and-returns, punch-downs and rotary fermenters depending on the plot. After quick settling, the wines complete their malolactic fermentation in barrel, then are aged for 10 months in barriques: 7% new American oak and 93% neutral French and American barrels.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, cherry, pomegranate, dried raspberry, baking spices and black olive tapenade. The palate, generous and juicy, combines a core of ripe fruit with a silky texture. Supple tannins provide just the right structure, while lively acidity lengthens the persistent, delicately spicy finish.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors into California that boosted the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wine estates. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so much so that by 1933 only 140 estates were still producing wine. It was not until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was mainly known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were founded (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976 a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgement of Paris". It pitted the greatest French wines against the American newcomers. On 24 May, an unexpected result shook the wine world when, to everyone's surprise, the United States came out on top. Yet this competition remains little known to the general public. Today there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Although California largely monopolises the fame of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.