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California Wine	USD 34.95 $34.⁹⁵ 750ml
SWS	USD 35.00 $35.⁰⁰ 750ml

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Gamba "Old Vine-Estate" Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2009

Member Review by hilla:

Just tasted my first bottle of the 2009 Gamba. Nose of fresh crushed berries, cedar and spice. Full mid palate with ripe fruits and hint of dark chocolate and a hint toasty oak on the finish. Big wine, not for the faint of heart. Gamba consistently crafts wines with full flavors, balanced and yummy, and this effort delivers!

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Region: USA » California » Sonoma County » Russian River Valley

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Winery: Gamba Vineyards and Winery

Color: Red

Varietal: Zinfandel

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Gamba Vineyards and Winery:

Gamba Vineyards and Winery is a small, family owned vineyard and winery business in Sonoma County, California. The over century old 27.5 acre Gamba Estate Vineyard parcel rests on th Eastern edge of the beautiful Russian River Valley Appellation, on gently rolling benchland above the valley floor. Planted to Zinfandel in 1900, the Gamba Estate Vineyard consists primarily of Old Vine Zinfandel, as well as small separate blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon. With ideal Southern exposure, the vineyard is bathed in sunlight during the growing season. On average the yield is small, in part due to nature, but also by design-approximately one half ton, and occasionally up to one ton per acre is harvested, depending on the vigor of vineyard block and severity of pruning. The vines are organically dry farmed. The dry farming method relies solely on yearly rainwater to irrigate the vineyard. This method will generally decrease tonnage, however, in exchange, the remaining fruit clusters achieve a wonderful concentration of flavors. The vineyard has been farmed since its beginnings using the dry farming method, as well as other labor intensive, traditional methods. Each vine is cleared of ground cover at its base by hand. The Gamba's still own the original horse plows for discing rows, although now they employ the use of modern equipment to turn the soil. The vines are pruned, thinned and harvested by hand. Italian prune trees were planted years ago, and more recently lavender, to attract predatory insects to drive out unwanted pests. Roses were planted to give an early indication of powdery mildew that may develop early in the season. The Gamba family has used organic methods to counter any adversity faced in the vineyard, as it has been done since 1900. To this day, they do not use herbicides or any pesticides in the production of their winegrapes. The desirable soil in the vineyard is known in the area as "Huachica" loam, named after the original native inhabitants of the area the vineyard occupies. This soil is excellent for farming, with ideal ratios of sand, clay, stones and organic matter in the ancient volcanic mix, seemingly custom made by nature for winegrapes. Light in color with low to moderate water retention and good drainage, the soil is sprinkled with small stones, all making for desirable winegrape farming. The Russian River Appellation location not only provides the ideal soil composed of stoney ancient volcanic ash, but also an excellent overall climate for winegrapes. Warm days and cool nights, and light breezes from the Pacific, all have positive affects on the growing season. The day heating and nightime cooling cycle plays an important part of why Northern California is a world class wine producing region. The microclimate on the Eastern edge of the Russian River Valley, specifically where the Gamba Vineyard is located on the Fulton benchland, provides enough heat units to ripen the grapes, and enough natural cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean to allow for extended hang time, to provide additional concentration and optimal maturation for our winegrapes. The vineyard enjoys views North into the Russian River Valley. To the Northeast, stands the majestic Mount St. Helena. To the West, lie rolling vineyards to the foothills that are the home of the great Redwoods, with the Pacific Ocean beyond. On cloud free days, the top of Mount Tamalpais near the San Francisco Bay can be seen reaching skyward in the distant Marin County to the South. Read less

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Member Reviews for Gamba "Old Vine-Estate" Russian River Valley Zinfandel

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hilla

06/14/2011

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shsim

1,295

03/29/2012

Interesting Zin. Fruity and almost jammy. It has a lot going on, leaning a little towards a dessert side. This was part of a wine tasting showdown. More on the tastings at http://dionyshius.blogspot.com/2012/03/showdown-saturday.html

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Nathan Ophardt

337

04/18/2012

Pepper.

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George Bato

08/08/2012

A party for the palate. Big, rich, voluptuous, and hedonistic. Yet there is an underlying acidity providing good balance that highlights the dark berry, bramble fruit component. Ultimately satisfying and delicious.

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External Reviews for Gamba "Old Vine-Estate" Russian River Valley Zinfandel

Source: JJ Buckley Fine Wines

06/07/2011

This couldn't be any prettier on the nose. Alluring crushed boysenberry and blackberry aromas are candy-like in their purity. A bevy of berries (raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry) emerge on the front palate, followed by ground coffee, clove and b... Neil Mechanic. A Zinfandel wine from California in USA. 2009 Gamba Zinfandel Gamba Estate Vineyard 750ml

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Source: JJ Buckley Fine Wines

04/04/2012

A Zinfandel wine from California in USA. 2009 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Gamba Estate Vineyard 750ml

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Source: JJ Buckley Fine Wines

10/26/2011

A Zinfandel wine from California in USA. 2009 Gamba Old Vine Zinfandel Moratto Vineyard 750ml

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California Wine	2009 Gamba Estate Old Vine Moratto Zinfandel »	$34.⁹⁵ 750ml Bad price? USD 34.95
SWS	Gamba 2009 Russian River Valley Zinfandel »	$35.⁰⁰ 750ml Bad price? USD 35.00
Napa Valley Winery Exchange San Francisco, CA (2,500 mi)	Gamba Zinfandel Estate Old Vines Russian River Valley 2009 »	$39.⁹⁵ 750ml Bad price? USD 39.95
Martin Wine Cellar (New Orleans – Metairie – Mandeville) Online Only	Gamba Vineyards Zinfandel Moratto Vineyard Old Vine 2009 » Web Only	$35.⁹⁹ 750ml Bad price? USD 35.99