This gorgeous Zinfandel hails from the incredible Black Sears Vineyard, found — quite literally if you’ve got a good arm — a stone’s throw from our estate vineyard gate at the top of Howell Mountain. This biodynamic, dry-farmed vineyard’s head-trained vines were planted in the mid 1970s, and they continue to mark time and the change of seasons at the top of Howell Mountain. We would never mess around with producing a Zinfandel if it weren’t for the fact that Black Sears is right next door, and we firmly believe it is the greatest Zinfandel vineyard on earth.
Our 2022 Black Sears Vineyard Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, is a completely pure, focused expression of the vineyard. Another short crop in a cool year with a splash of heat at harvest means that the white pepper and red, volcanic stone accents are woven deeply into the exotic, dark fruit that shines brightly from the glass. The signature fruit is powerful but does not overwhelm the structure. This Zinfandel displays terroir in a manner that speaks of effortless talent; like watching Shohei Ohtani hit one out of the park.
93 James Suckling This brawny, mountain-grown wine is powerful, firm in texture and deeply concentrated in flavor. Blackberry, black pepper, wood char, iron, black walnut and espresso flavors are held rather tightly in tannins. It’s a memorable wine grown at 730 meters elevation that has a long life ahead of it. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.
