Laurel Glen Zinfandel Blend Lodi Reds 2007

Winemaker's Notes:

The nonsensical phrase "Every year is a vintage year in California" refers to the Central Valley, where the mornings can be hot, the afternoons scorching, and the nights warm. Here the grapes are harvested in mid-August, more through accumulation of sugar than via ripening. Lodi, where our REDS vineyards are located, is a very different growing region. Lodi is located near the head of the Sacramento River system, a massive complex of streams, rivers, and canals, which eventually flow out the Golden Gate into the Pacific Ocean. As in much of northern coastal California, the warm air of the afternoon rises, creating a vacuum which in turn sucks cool ocean air eastwards along the river systems, tempering the heat and promoting a slower, more even ripening. In Sonoma and Napa, the cooling effect often results in late afternoon and evening fog; by the time the cooler air arrives in Lodi, however, it has lost much of its moisture, but little of its cooling effect. And this is what separates Lodi from the deep Central Valley growing conditions. Accordingly, as in Sonoma, not all vintages are created equally in Lodi. The great vintages of the century, so far, are 2002, 2004, and 2007. Each vintage produced wines of great color intensity and flavor, and most importantly, of balance. The 2007 REDS was fully ripened, beginning with the zinfandel in mid-September and ending with the carignane in early October. It's dark, spicy, and powerful; but it's equally fresh and delicious, with enough natural acidity to invite another glass. This is not a ponderous monster, but rather a large-scaled and graceful wine that matches beautifully with full flavored foods! Composition: zinfandel (40 – 80 years old) 60%; carignane (118 y/o) 30%; petite syrah ( 20 y/o) 10% Release date: April 15, 2009