2006
Monster Zinfandel
Norman Vineyards
|
elegant aromas of blueberry, blackberry and ripe bing cherry are enhanced by brambles and spicy notes of fennel and pepper. Remarkably balanced, the full body, firm acidity and intense berry flavors lead to a structured, cocoa-powder finish with mouth-filling texture. True to its moniker, this robust wine will compliment BBQ red meat and hearty stews, along with rich, chocolate desserts.
Varietals
| Percent Varietal | Vineyard, Appellation |
|---|---|
| 20% Petite Sirah | |
| 80% Zinfandel |
Production
5393 cases of 750 ml (Standard Bottle) bottles
Fermentation Notes
The Monster Zinfandel is crafted from eight ranches, all small, dry-farmed vineyards ranging in age from 15 to over 80 years. Each ranch was harvested at peak ripeness, and the wines were barrel-aged separately until right before bottling. Using gentle cap-irrigation techniques, we extracted the best of the tannins and left behind the bitter and astringent characteristics.
Vintage Notes
The 2006 vintage began with record rainfall, keeping soil temperatures down and delaying bud-break by several weeks. The summer was warm and dry, and the late start to the ripening season allowed for slower ripening and long hang-time in the cool autumn. Overall lower sugars resulted in moderate alcohol and complex, fruity aromas without raisiny notes.