R&B Cellars

Vineyards:
We have found over the years that often times the best blend, of a certain varietal will be better with a mix of regions, and also that blending can add significantly to the complexity of the final wine. This superb wine is a combination of Zinfandel from two excellent regions of California, each bringing its own distinct characteristic to the blend.

Cellar Practices and Winemaking:
In order to create a rich and velvety yet fruity wine, we blended 2003 barrel aged wine from Lodi with 2003 wine from Alexander Valley to show bright berry but still have that sweet jammy fruit character and good structure in the wine. The oak program was limited so that the wine would be well balanced and supple. The wine was cross flow filtered, which also contributed to leveling out the tannins and making the wine eminently drinkable upon release.

Winemaker's Comments:
The wonderful fresh berry fruit from the Alexander Valley Zinfandel combines with the smooth oak aged flavors of the Lodi wine to achieve a super harmony in the bouquet and taste. The Alexander Valley Zinfandel also adds a zesty complexity, color complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

The bouquet shows fresh strawberry and raspberry with hints of pepper and spice. The flavors are ripe berry with creamy cherries and an elegant spicy aftertaste.