De Loach FORGOTTEN VINES Zinfandel Sonoma County California

De Loach, based in the Russian River Valley, is now owned by the Burgundy producer Boisset and this French influence can be seen in the styles of the wines produced. Elegant, classic cherry fruit with some good gamey Pinot complexity. (12 x 75 cl)

This quintessential Green Valley Pinot Noir boasts dark ruby red hues that open to a bright fruit nose with earthy aromas and a smattering of spice. Followed on the palate by flavors of pomegranate, cherries, raspberry, leather, and crushed rose petals that burst in the mouth and continuously evolve as the wine breathes. A well-structured wine, it is ready to drink now and will age beautifully for up to 10 years. Located in the western hills of the Russian River Valley, Green Valley is one of Sonoma County's coolest regions. Blankets of fog pushed over from the Pacific Ocean chill the otherwise hot summer evening air and ensure temperate mornings. The valley's optimal weather conditions extend the growing season and produce concentrated berries while soils rich in minerals from an ancient seabed infuse the fruit with nuanced flavours. Green Valley is a blend from several vineyards in the Green Valley appellation. The vineyards represent different clones, each of which contributes something unique to the finished wine. Each vineyard site has been carefully selected to display the bright, crystalline fruit, which is characteristic of classic Green Valley Pinot Noir. The Russian River Valley has come to be known as 'America's Burgundy,' and DeLoach is proud to have been an important factor in this distinction. Purchased by Boisset in 2003 and the appointment of new winemaker Greg La Follette marked the start of their return to form for DeLoach. Greg is a Pinot specialist, as his background would suggest, and these are the wines that are the most distinctive in the De Loach range. (6 x 75 cl)

TASTING NOTES Very pretty aromas of jasmine and rose petal come quickly back to more expected tropical fruits like pineapple, mango and a bit of pear. Roasted hazelnut is joined with nougat and almond butter, finishing with a touch of lime and lichee. The wine is medium weight, clean with a wonderful acid backbone with a lingering, memorable finish with hints of minerality and a touch of strawberry. (12 x 75 cl)

Characterful, benchmark 'Zin'. Open berry aromas and summer pudding flavours. Has a lipsmacking character

Ravenswood OLD VINE Zinfandel Sonoma County California from USA, California, Sonoma County by Ravenswood (6 x 75 cl)

Cooler vineyard temperatures preserve zinfandel's juicy acidity and allowed for the grape tannins to mature on the vine while infusing scents of cracked black pepper and heightening zin's briary, spicy essence. Fine, ripe tannins add a velvety richness seldom found in Zinfandel, while the elegant richness, broad mouth feel and a lingering minerality elicit typicity that indicate superior grape growing. Savory purity of fruit with both aromas and flavours of blueberry and cherry abound. Fruit for this wine came from four estate vineyards: San Lorenzo, Home Ranch, Lone Oak and River Road in Alexander Valley and Cortina in Dry Creek Valley. Once in the winery the results of vinification and 12 months in oak; of which 75% was American and 25% French; is a good colour and soft, ripe tannins. The Seghesio Story begins in 1886 when Edoardo Seghesio departed his family's vineyards in Piedmonte, Italy for a new life in America. Like so many immigrants, he was drawn to Northern Sonoma County and the Italian Swiss Colony, to follow his passion for winemaking. The "colony," as it was known, hired immigrants for three year stints, providing room and board and then, a lump sum at the end of those three years enabling employees to buy land or set up a business in their new home. Soon, Edoardo rose through the ranks to winemaker. Yet, he yearned for home. The Colony's manager repeatedly encouraged him to stay and finally, it was his niece and the opportunity to purchase land that convinced Edoardo to remain. That young girl, Angela Vasconi and Edoardo were married in 1893. In 1895, they purchased a modest home in northern Alexander Valley, less for the home than the surrounding 56 acres Edoardo recognized as ideal vineyard land. They planted the "Home Ranch" that year to what has become the family's lifeline (12 x 75 cl)

The Sonoma County Zinfandel is made from grapes grown in many different vineyards, all of which add their individual characters to the wine. On the palate, it is an appealing blend of rich, dark fruit with juicy blackberry notes and an inviting Sonoma briary/spicy character. Ripe, supple tannins provide a backbone for the juicy fruit and give the wine a firm elegance. The Seghesio Story begins in 1886 when Edoardo Seghesio departed his family’s vineyards in Piedmonte, Italy for a new life in America. Like so many immigrants, he was drawn to Northern Sonoma County and the Italian Swiss Colony, to follow his passion for winemaking. The “colony,” as it was known, hired immigrants for three year stints, providing room and board and then, a lump sum at the end of those three years enabling employees to buy land or set up a business in their new home. Soon, Edoardo rose through the ranks to winemaker. Yet, he yearned for home. The Colony’s manager repeatedly encouraged him to stay and finally, it was his niece and the opportunity to purchase land that convinced Edoardo to remain. That young girl, Angela Vasconi and Edoardo were married in 1893. In 1895, they purchased a modest home in northern Alexander Valley, less for the home than the surrounding 56 acres Edoardo recognized as ideal vineyard land. They planted the “Home Ranch” that year to what has become the family’s lifeline – Zinfandel. Today his grandchildren share his passion as they farm over 80 hectares of Zinfandel in Alexander and Dry Creek Valley. (12 x 75 cl)

Cooler vineyard temperatures preserve zinfandel’s juicy acidity and allowed for the grape tannins to mature on the vine while infusing scents of cracked black pepper and heightening zin’s briary, spicy essence. Fine, ripe tannins add a velvety richness seldom found in Zinfandel, while the elegant richness, broad mouth feel and a lingering minerality elicit typicity that indicate superior grape growing. Savory purity of fruit with both aromas and flavours of blueberry and cherry abound. Fruit for this wine came from four estate vineyards: San Lorenzo, Home Ranch, Lone Oak and River Road in Alexander Valley and Cortina in Dry Creek Valley. Once in the winery the results of vinification and 12 months in oak; of which 75% was American and 25% French; is a good colour and soft, ripe tannins. The Seghesio Story begins in 1886 when Edoardo Seghesio departed his family’s vineyards in Piedmonte, Italy for a new life in America. Like so many immigrants, he was drawn to Northern Sonoma County and the Italian Swiss Colony, to follow his passion for winemaking. The “colony,” as it was known, hired immigrants for three year stints, providing room and board and then, a lump sum at the end of those three years enabling employees to buy land or set up a business in their new home. Soon, Edoardo rose through the ranks to winemaker. Yet, he yearned for home. The Colony’s manager repeatedly encouraged him to stay and finally, it was his niece and the opportunity to purchase land that convinced Edoardo to remain. That young girl, Angela Vasconi and Edoardo were married in 1893. In 1895, they purchased a modest home in northern Alexander Valley, less for the home than the surrounding 56 acres Edoardo recognized as ideal vineyard land. They planted the “Home Ranch” that year to what has become the family’s lifeline – Zinfandel. Today his grandchildren share his passion as they farm over 80 hectares of Zinfandel in Alexander and Dry Creek Valley. Available in 37.5 cl Half Bottles. (12 x 37.5 cl)

The 2005 Heritage Zinfandel has a sense of elegance and grace not often found in Zinfandel. Initial aromas of boysenberry, blueberry, and cedar provide an exciting preview for the flavours that follow. Blackberry, currant, allspice, and bright cherry fru (12 x 75 cl)