This is the best our old vine zinfandel vineyard delivers: a separate lot of our two best barrels that are set aside for an additional year of aging. Our winery has always been dedicated to that versatile, spicy, and most Californian-of-all grape: zinfandel. Ever since we started making wine commercially we have tried to bring a classic style of zinfandel back from obscurity, crafting zins as the Italian and Swiss immigrants intended when they planted the first zin vines in Sonoma County almost 150 years ago. As winemakers, we consider the Master to be the crowning achievement of what our small winery produces each year. Our ‘Mr Beast’ zin (the majority of the vineyard) sees less time in barrel and is usually more approachable and fruit filled. ‘Zin Master’ is meant to be a more serious and structured endeavor, a zinfandel with layers of brooding, dark spice, tannin, and a firm core that’s made for aging in the cellar. Not that it doesn’t taste spectacular right now: that’s the beauty of zinfandel. But you’ll be rewarded if you’re patient with this master.
The 2021 Master shows the depth and power of this very drought-influenced, low-yield vintage. Flavors are bright and poignant, with big tannin and fresh acidity. Big baking spice notes of clove, cinnamon, and pepper compliment the blackberry and briary raspberry flavors of the wine. One of the most powerful reserves we have ever made – This Master’s structure will allow it to age for a decade or more.
