2021 Howell Mountain Zinfandel
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Sensory
Eye
Magenta core, crimson rim.Nose
Farmers market taffy, spun sugar, maraschino cherry, English trifle, and cherry tart followed by early morning garden and fresh cut flowers. Time in the glass reveals amphora, Italian leather, and cocoa nibs.Palate
Medium plus body with enveloping mouthfeel, evocative of freshly picked near-ripe guava. Superb acidity, luxurious balance, lingering finish.Cellar life
Drink now through 2035+. -
Technical
- Composition
100% Howell Mountain Zinfandel - Vineyard source
Beatty Ranch - Appellation
Napa Valley - Barrel aging
10 months in 30% new oak, 50/50 French/American - Alcohol by vol.
15.2%
- 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. 4.
