Navarro Vineyards - 2021 Zinfandel

2021 Zinfandel
Old Vine Cuvée
Mendocino
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Rocky road

We source the majority of our Zinfandel grapes from four blocks of dry-farmed vines at Tollini vineyards in Redwood Valley, north of Ukiah. The base wine, constituting half of this bottling, comes from a field of head-trained vines known as AT1, and another 30% is sourced from block AT2. These fields were originally planted by Al Tollini's grandfather back in 1932, making the vines genuinely old. Both AT1 and AT2 are head-trained on a six-foot-by-six-foot grid without a trellis or irrigation, allowing for easy weed removal as tractors can operate in both directions. AT1 is situated on sandy gravel, with a gravel company located about half a mile away, while AT2 is positioned above AT1, featuring thin soils and abundant rocks.

Sometimes it’s a struggle washing barrels.

Jim and Al Tollini in AT1 Zinfandel Vineyard. The ancient vines have man-sized trunks.

Additionally, we also source Zinfandel from two more of Al's vineyards: AT3 and AT4. Although planted in 1948, they are not part of this bottling. The remaining 20% of this Old Vine 2021 cuvée comes from Dark Horse Vineyards, whose vines are mature but not as ancient as the Tollini vines. Whereas the Tollini Zinfandels were aged in seasoned barrels, the Dark Horse Zin was aged in newer French oak barrels, imparting toasty notes and enhancing the wine's mid-palate richness. These old vines produced a wine smacking of wild blackberries, Italian plums and forest floor. Silver Medal winner.

Specifications

Harvested: Sept. 10 - 14, 2021
Sugars at harvest: 27.0° Brix
Bottled: Aug. 19, 2022
Cases produced: 998
Alcohol: 14.2%
Titratable acidity: 6.8 g/L
pH: 3.69

2017 Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino

“Made from 60-90 year old vine Zinfandel from Ukiah and Redwood Valley. A dollop of other grapes come from a field blend block within one of the two vineyards sourced for the Navarro Zinfandel Old Vine Cuvee. Warm aromas of black cherry preserves, black pepper and allspice transitions to tastes of smushed up blackberries and very ripe raspberries + bay leaf, Thai basil and black tea. I love the generosity of fruit and sturdy frame of spice & exotic herbs. Medium acidity and smooth tannins…I think this is drinking fantastic now.” —Dan Dawson, Outer Space Far Out Wines

2016 Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino

90 Points. “Very fruity, very ripe and very full bodied, this wine practically oozes a jammy berrylike character from the first whiff to the lingering finish. Dried fruits like fig and raisin dominate the flavors while a rich lush texture coats the tastebuds.” —Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast

2014 Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino

This Beautifully refined, old-vine Zin has a core of ripe fruit and much more, including finely honed balance, exceptional integration and a long-lingering finish. Order online.John Vankat, Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine, July, 2017.

2013 Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino

“Old Vine Cuvée,” Mendocino ($29) – Medium to medium-dark ruby; forward, deep, intense, cedary, ripe, raspberry and blackberry fruit aroma with a hint of black pepper; full body; rich, textured, peppery, red and black fruit flavors; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoyable to drink now. Highly recommended.- . California Grape VineJune, 2016.

2012 Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino

This supple Zin is jammed with black cherry and wild berry fruit, showing accents of roasted anise, cracked pepper and dried sage. Drink now through 2020. 490 cases made. - Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, June 30, 2015.

2000 Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino

Anderson Valley’s premier producer turns inland for 50-year-old vines and the heat to ripen them. They got plenty ripe this vintage, with deep, impressive berry and fruit flavors and accents like chocolate and rum. It’s a little soft, but okay. Sixteen percent alcohol is heady, but the wine handles it well, and has been fermented to full dryness. - Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, May, 2002.