2020 Howell Mountain Zinfandel
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Sensory
Eye
Garnet core, ruby rim.Nose
Lily of the Valley, gardenia, peony, blackberries, forest fruit, and currants. Secondary notes of brioche with strawberry compote, vanilla, and heavy cream with traces of spice, pepper, and mineraly essence of river rock.Palate
Ripe, juicy, and dense with seamless integration of fruit, glycerin, and acid.Cellar life
Drink now through 2035. -
Technical
- Composition
100% Howell Mountain Zinfandel - Vineyard source
Beatty Ranch - Appellation
Napa Valley - Barrel aging
10 months in 35% new oak, 50/50 French/American - Alcohol by vol.
15%
- Composition
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Wherefore
David has known Pat Beatty, whose father Mike was instrumental in establishing the storied Howell Mountain sub-appellation, for thirty years. In fact, the two may very well have bonded over a barrel of homebrew Zinfandel Pat brought over to our property pre-Brown Estate (which in hindsight raises the point that our little brother at the time may have been underage — but moving right along). Beatty Ranch’s esteemed old-vine Zin was planted pre-World War I and grows on the western slope of Howell Mountain at an elevation of 1800 feet. Head-trained and dry-farmed, the vineyard sees ample daytime sunlight and enjoys cool nighttime temperatures, conditions similar to Brown Estate. This is vintage no. 3.
