Aged 16 months in American barrels (40% new barrels), which is a perfect match for this wine. The Pedroncelli family has been working with the winery for over 50 years on a 20-acre vineyard in the eastern hills of Dry Creek Valley. It has ripe berry flavors, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and smoky oak notes, as well as rich flavors of blackberry, plum, mocha, vanilla, and dark chocolate. The charm of the spicy, full-bodied Zinfandel is well balanced with the fruitiness and tannins.
Vintage Information
The 2021 growing season was a warm one with ideal conditions.
The dry, rainless climate accelerated ripening, allowing the grapes to develop strong color and flavor, and the grapes were harvested in the second week of September, resulting in concentrated fruit with the rich flavor and gentle acidity characteristic of Zinfandel.
In order to fully bring out the grapes' potential (flavor and color), the wine was fermented in small stainless steel tanks, which increase the contact between the skins and juice during fermentation, using Barolo yeast, which allows for a longer fermentation period, and pumped over daily.
Technical information
Brewing and aging: In order to fully bring out the potential of the grapes (flavor and color), the wine was fermented in small stainless steel tanks, which increase the contact rate between the skins and juice during fermentation, using Barolo yeast, which allows for a longer fermentation period, and pumped over every day.
Compared to the French version, it has a slightly stronger barrel aroma and a sweet nuance, and is aged for 16 months in American barrels (40% new barrels), which are a good match for the finished Zinfandel.
Tasting Comments
Aromas of ripe dark fruit, pepper, toasted oak and cinnamon are complemented by nutmeg and vanilla notes.
Raspberry and cola flavor.
A spicy, full-bodied wine with an excellent balance of fruitiness, acidity, and firm, mellow tannins.
It has a long, rich finish.
Field Information
Bushnell Vineyards
The Pedroncelli family has been using grapes from this 8-hectare vineyard on the eastern hillside of Dry Creek Valley for nearly 80 years.
The dry soil, a mix of silt and loam mixed with rocks, encourages the vines to send their roots deep into the ground, and the summer temperatures rise to 32-34°C but drop to 10°C at night, with a large diurnal range that allows the grapes to ripen with good acidity.
Founder John Sr. (Giovanni) purchased the land in 1943 and at the same time planted Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignan.
In the 1950s the vineyard was sold to his son-in-law Al Pedroni, who tended it for 40 years, and in the 1990s it was inherited by his daughter Carol Bushnell, who now grows Zinfandel and Petite Sirah with the help of Pedroncelli's vineyard crew.
Ownership of the vineyard has passed from the main Pedroncelli family to John Sr.'s granddaughter, who is still a relative of the Pedroncelli family and is effectively an estate.
Vintage: 2021
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: 100% Zinfandel
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Northern Sonoma
Nested AVAs: Dry Creek Valley
Vineyard: Bushnell Vineyard
Note: Limited stock Next 21VTG Scheduled to arrive in September 90th Anniversary Bottle
Winemaker: Montse Reece
Winemaking: Fermented in stainless steel tanks using Barolo yeast
Aging: 16 months in American barrels (40% new)
Soil: Rocky silt, loam
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 15.0%
JAN: 86942112025