I’m on a serious cellar reduction campaign, and had no intention of another purchase in November. But … an eleven year old Mt. Veeder old vine Zin … Ultimately it was the gushing and fussing from the likes of Chris, Rich, RAJr., Tom Lee, etc. that did me in. I thought the wine was worth all the fussing, but it did raise a few questions: 1) Are the old vines (four rows, two-thirds of an acre) still being bottled separately? Why no vintages available since 2012?
Some background on the vineyard from the HVS website:
If it is accurate that vines often reflect the character of the farmer that tends them, the Sky Vineyards ’73 planting of Zinfandel on St. George rootstock is living proof. Head trained to a height that suits the 6’1″ frame of Lore Olds, who has continuously pruned this block since its inception. Having survived the dual calamities of AXR-induced phylloxera that saw much of the original plantings torn out in the late 1990s and the 2017 fires, both these vines and the Olds family continues to endure.
At 1/3 of an acre, the block is the second-oldest Zinfandel block on Mt. Veeder after Brandlin Ranch. Planted at 2200′ elevation in red, volcanic loam soil similar to what is found at nearby Monte Rosso Vineyard.
I’m very happy to have these bottles and the access to Sky Vineyard through Bedrock. Great stuff.
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2012 Sky Vineyards Zinfandel St. George Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder (11/29/2023)
13.5% abv. Medium dark ruby, very expressive aromas. Striking and very pure red raspberry on the palate, supplemented with a bit of spearmint and menthol. Beautifully integrated, long, penetrating and deep. A singular expression of Zinfandel that is drinking spectacularly right now and shows no serious signs of aging. A treat! (94 points)
Posted from CellarTracker