Gamba Estate Old Vines Zinfandel 2012
| Country: | United States |
| Regions: | California California (Napa) |
| Grape Type: | Zinfandel |
| Winery: | Gamba |
The original and flagship wine for GAMBA Vineyards and Winery from our family Estate Vineyard in the Russian River Valley planted in 1900.
Tasting Notes: Deep garnet in color with a cherry preserve nose, highlighted by red plum and dried cranberry, this wine promises a classic expression of Zinfandel on the palate. Beginning with an appealing mix of spicy berry aromas and flavors, the wine expands into medium to full bodied ripe briary fruit of plum, black cherry, earth minerals, and white pepper.
The texture is silky smooth, with elegant tannins, integrated with a subtle brown spice. The long cherry kirsch-filled finish is punctuated by firm but gentle tannins. With ample acidity, the balanced framework, effusive fruit, and a smooth lingering finish, this wine will drink wonderfully for several years to come.
The Estate
Gamba Vineyards and Winery is a small, family owned and operated winery in Sonoma County, California. The winery was founded in 1999, by Agostino and Paulette Gamba, the realization of a life-long dream. The estate vineyards have been in the Gamba family for over 50 years, although the vineyard itself is over 100 years old.
The Vineyard
The vineyard has been organically dry farmed since its original planting in 1900, and produces a very limited yield of highly concentrated fruit.
Sourced from several sites in the heart of the Russian River Valley, the grapes are vinified in our traditional style; with an extended soaking period. The vineyard lots were fermented on the natural indigenous yeasts, each lot fermented separately to highlight the distinctive characteristics and unique distinct flavor profiles of this world famous growing region. Dark ruby-garnet in color, this classic Russian River Zinfandel shows aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, brown spices, and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the Family Ranches Zinfandel is balanced with excellent acidity: a powerful, rich and concentrated wine, with flavors of nectarine, cherry and raspberry that build through the lingering finish. This lovely wine can be enjoyed now, and will continue to develop with bottle age over the next several years.
- back
Bright and light golden-yellow in color. Exotic and sweet vanilla bean aromatics backed by pear and kiwi with a slight orange peel. The palate resonates with texture and depth as stone minerality and cream brioche to match. Flavors of roasted plantains, gravenstein apple, and lemon zest frame the wine for a long yet soft finish.
Planted in the early 90’s, this is the coolest vineyard site in the Russian River Valley, located at Lee Martinelli Sr.’s home ranch in Forestville, CA. After riding around with Lee in his pick-up truck when we visited his Woolsey Road, Zio Tony, and River Road Vineyards, he decided to take me to this gem. He kept this particular vineyard in his back pocket until we hit it off. We did, and I think you’ll enjoy the ride as well.
Review:
Elusively crisp and inviting on the nose, this is a thickly intriguing wine, floral in orange blossom and fresh apple. Structured and lengthy, it retains a tangy acidity and structured finish, the grapes sourced from a dry-farmed vineyard. - Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Nuna Estate White Blend is made from 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier
The wine captures the efforts to express the identiy of the soils and the people of the land. The field blend of international white varieties offers intense aromas of pineapple, honeysuckle, peach and apricot. The wine is medium-bodied with fleshy mouthfeel and excellent purity.
Manual harvest.The grapes are organically grown in Lujan de Cuyo, at 960 meters on the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
