Mariah Zinfandel Mendocino Ridge(2003)

In this vintage we’ve added some new interest with the legendary Piffero Vineyard, where Zinfandel is often crafted so thick and rich you’d want to drink it with a spoon, and other favorite Mendocino vineyards such as Arneis and Clocksprings, from distinctive Amador County, home to some of the best California Zinfandel. Each growing season meanders quietly on the ridgetops, the struggle unseen, until Harvest brings fruit down from the mountain, to craft an exquisite wine known simply as Mariah. The Growing Season Harvest was a blur as it started early and ended quickly, sending winemakers home to re-introduce themselves to family members far earlier than is normal in the Fall. An early, warm spring led to a mild summer with heat spikes as the harvest began, moving the fruit toward the winery in a true illustration of why they call it “the Crush.” For most red varietals grown at higher elevations yields were close to the norm, but the close attention paid in the vineyard that is an essential part of Mariah’s focus allowed our foothills Amador County and Mendocino fruit to be exceptionally flavorful. Winemaking Fruit from the vineyards is hand-picked and crushed into small open-top fermenters. After a short cold maceration to extract deep, rich flavors and colors we ferment some lots with Assmanshausen and others with Prise de mousse yeast and punch down the cap three to four times daily through a long, slow fermentation. Secondary fermentation is staged in barrel to help tame the intense mountain fruit. In this vintage layers of flavor and bold complexity have been achieved by blending touches of Syrah and Petite Sirah with a dollop of Carignane to create a memorable Zinfandel worthy of Mariah. The Vintage Intense, racy aromas of Black Cherry, blackberry, red and black licorice, black peppercorns, sage and cocoa powder set the stage for a Mariah rich in full-bodied flavors of blackberry, raspberry and Bing Cherry. A solid acid backbone provides structure and lifts the fruit to greater complexity, while the softer tannins melt in the mouth providing texture and a mouthfeel to be celebrated. Layer upon layer of red and black fruit emerge to reveal a very special Zinfandel, one to remember in a long line ofMariah Zins. — DennisMartin,Winemaker All The Facts Vineyards Mendocino (81%) Mariah Mendocino Ridge Piffero Mendocino Arneis Mendocino Amador (19%) Clocksprings Appellation Mendocino County Varietal Content Zinfandel (79%) Petite Sirah (15%) Syrah (5%) Carignane (1%) Alcohol: 14.5% Ph: 3.52 Total Acidity: 64gms/100ml Aging: 18 months exclusively in French (20%) and American (80%) Oak barrels toasted Medium, Medium Plus with 100% in once used barrels. Principal coopers include Taransaud, Seguin Moreau, Dargaud Jaegle Limited Release April, 2007 6600 cases, offered in sixes Media Contact: James Caudill, Jim_Caudill@B-F.com (415) 444-7410 or mobile (707) 799-0144 Anticipated Retail Price: $25 © Mariah, Mendocino California USA    (hide)