Zinfandel, Montecillo Vineyard Sonoma Valley 2017
About the Vintage
2017 is another great vintage for Zinfandel in Sonoma County. 2017 had a few significant vintage events: (1) Upon bud break, a lighter than normal crop was observed - boding well for a quality vintage. (2) During bloom (around May) we had a very cool period which resulted in lots of unfertilized berries. These berries are removed from our sorting table - further enhancing the quality vs quantity approach, and our sorting tables were busy. (3) A significant heat spike in early September sent many wineries into harvest, but our wise team held off and allowed the vineyard to rebound… which brought about amazing perfume, complexity, and depth to a small, high quality harvest. Our final wines reflect the nuances of the 2017 year and we believe this will be a favorite vintage for many of our fans and collectors.
Wine Enthusiast | 95 points
CELLAR SELECTION
From a volcanic site high atop the Moon Mountain region above Sonoma Valley, this impressive knockout of a wine is thick and tightly wound in its youth, yet still imparts deeply etched components of sanguine currant, dried herb and earth. Balanced and powerful, it is structured and graceful, with a juicy core of blackberry and raspberry. This will do well in the cellar; enjoy best from 2027–2030.
Connoisseurs' Guide | 95 points + 3 Stars
This extraordinarily well-crafted Zinfandel is so deep in optimally ripened varietal fruit as to be inviting right now, but it has the solidity and structural bones of a wine that promises to be nothing less than a highly collectable classic with age. It presently teases with a lovely, very generous mix of juicy, black and red berries judiciously framed by sweet oak before its grippy tannins impart a bit of tightening astringency at the finish, and, while it is never not so rough and ragged as to prohibit drinking in the relatively short term, its composition and keen balance are the sure markers of a Zinfandel that will improve for a full decade, if not more.
Purely Domestic Wine Review | 94 points
The nose is a brambly, spiced blackberry, raspberry, licorice and a waft of pepper. The palate entry is fat and juicy ripe, sun-warmed apricot and mango. The core shows solid acidity finishing with silky tropical fruit.
Beekeeper Cellars
Grape: 95% Zinfandel & 4% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Montecillo Vineyard, Dry Farmed California Certified Sustainable Wine Growing
Appellation: Sonoma Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Harvest Date: Sept 19th
Vintage: 2017 - Bottled March 19th, 2019
Winemaker: Clay Mauritson, Ian Blackburn &
Emma Kudritzki
Alcohol: 14.75%. PH: 3.74 TA: 6.300 (g/L)
Aged: 17 months, French Oak (25% new)