The Black Sears release from the famous Howell Mountain winery was an instant classic, and became one of our most sought-after bottles. With a jet black bottle befitting the Black Sears name, the bold elegance of its flavor has enthralled Beekeeper enjoyers time and time again.
About the Vintage
The historic Black Sears Vineyard returned my call in Summer of 2012, I was looking for some “famous” hillside fruit to grow the Beekeeper brand and to give our clients another peek at our quality approach. I called many of the famous vineyards, but reputable hillside Zinfandel is highly spoken for and getting really hard to find. Luckily, Black Sears returned the call; our timing was very good.
Winemaker Tasting Notes
A dark ruby colored wine from rim to rim with a nose of spicy cracked black pepper, cold steel, graphite, dried herbs, violets, wild berry and dark plum, and hints of salted caramel. The mouth is rich, endowed and pronounced; with broad structure, ample tannin, and power, yet balanced within its large frame.
Beekeeper Cellars focuses on crafting beautiful Zinfandel, made from pedigree hillside vineyards with distinctive character and quality winemaking techniques.
Connoisseurs' Guide | 95 points
(Top Ten 3 Puff wines of the year)
Over the past several years, Beekeeper Zinfandels have consistently ranked among our very favorites, and the winery's first bottling from the renowned Black Sears Vineyard follows form and takes a place at the head of the class. It is an enormous wine of great depth and richness, yet it is never outsized or clumsy, and it seamlessly marries lovely oak to its wonderfully well-extracted fruit. It is highly recommended for its varietal purity and focus, but it earns an extra round of applause for its very serious and ageworthy structure, and pulling its cork before at least four or five years have passed would be nothing short of a shame. Be forewarned, however, this is no mild and meek Zinfandel.
Robert Parker | 94 points
Lastly, the 2012 Zinfandel Black Sears Vineyard from Howell Mountain tips the scales at 15.2% alcohol and boasts a production of 350 cases. This is 99% Zinfandel and 1% Petite Sirah from this high-elevation site in eastern Napa Valley. This sexy, deep, full-bodied, luscious wine has a dense ruby/purple color, loads of blackberry, licorice and floral notes, a full-bodied opulence, stunning purity, and a long, heady finish. This Howell Mountain Zinfandel should drink well for decade or more. Kudos to Beekeeper, as they seem to be on an impressive track of quality.
Beekeeper Cellars
Grape: 99% Zinfandel 1% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Black Sears Vineyard
Appellation: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Vintage: 2012 - Bottled Dec 17th, 2013
Winemakers: Clay Mauritson, Emma Kudritzki, Ian Blackburn
Alcohol: 15.2%
About the Vintage
The historic Black Sears Vineyard returned my call in Summer of 2012, I was looking for some “famous” hillside fruit to grow the Beekeeper brand and to give our clients another peek at our quality approach. I called many of the famous vineyards, but reputable hillside Zinfandel is highly spoken for and getting really hard to find. Luckily, Black Sears returned the call; our timing was very good.
Winemaker Tasting Notes
A dark ruby colored wine from rim to rim with a nose of spicy cracked black pepper, cold steel, graphite, dried herbs, violets, wild berry and dark plum, and hints of salted caramel. The mouth is rich, endowed and pronounced; with broad structure, ample tannin, and power, yet balanced within its large frame.
Beekeeper Cellars focuses on crafting beautiful Zinfandel, made from pedigree hillside vineyards with distinctive character and quality winemaking techniques.
Connoisseurs' Guide | 95 points
(Top Ten 3 Puff wines of the year)
Over the past several years, Beekeeper Zinfandels have consistently ranked among our very favorites, and the winery's first bottling from the renowned Black Sears Vineyard follows form and takes a place at the head of the class. It is an enormous wine of great depth and richness, yet it is never outsized or clumsy, and it seamlessly marries lovely oak to its wonderfully well-extracted fruit. It is highly recommended for its varietal purity and focus, but it earns an extra round of applause for its very serious and ageworthy structure, and pulling its cork before at least four or five years have passed would be nothing short of a shame. Be forewarned, however, this is no mild and meek Zinfandel.
Robert Parker | 94 points
Lastly, the 2012 Zinfandel Black Sears Vineyard from Howell Mountain tips the scales at 15.2% alcohol and boasts a production of 350 cases. This is 99% Zinfandel and 1% Petite Sirah from this high-elevation site in eastern Napa Valley. This sexy, deep, full-bodied, luscious wine has a dense ruby/purple color, loads of blackberry, licorice and floral notes, a full-bodied opulence, stunning purity, and a long, heady finish. This Howell Mountain Zinfandel should drink well for decade or more. Kudos to Beekeeper, as they seem to be on an impressive track of quality.
Beekeeper Cellars
Grape: 99% Zinfandel 1% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Black Sears Vineyard
Appellation: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Vintage: 2012 - Bottled Dec 17th, 2013
Winemakers: Clay Mauritson, Emma Kudritzki, Ian Blackburn
Alcohol: 15.2%