There are 152 cases of the 2005 Zinfandel Jackass Hill Vineyard made from 106-year-old, head-pruned, dry-farmed vineyards planted on one of the steepest slopes in Sonoma. Full-bodied, it shows creme de cassis notes intermixed with incense and aromas that recall a hippie den from the late 1960s or early 1970s. Spicy, peppery, licorice notes are also present along with herbs, roasted meats, and fresh game. This is an amazing wine – dense, full-bodied, idiosyncratic, and individualistic. This wine can last for decades but, for my taste, it is best drunk in its first 6-8 years of life.
Kudos to the Martinelli family, one of the great old winemaking families of Northern California. (They also produce exquisite apples as well.)
Previously recommended: 2004 Chardonnay Charles Ranch (91); 2004 Chardonnay Martinelli Road (94); 2004 Chardonnay Woolsey Road (92); 2004 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch (89?); 2004 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard (89); 2004 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch (90); 2004 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa (93); 2004 Jackass Vineyard (93); 2004 Jackass Hill Vineyard (95)
Tel. (707) 525-0570; Fax (707) 525-9463