Around twelve years ago, I got this bottle as a present.
I have often wondered what it is. Very heavy (glass)bottle, high voltage 14.8, and lots of writings on the label.
The label says :
1997 Trinchero Fam. est. Proprietors Series, Zinfandel, Amador County, Napa 14,8% vol.
Would like some help with this one, from the US-experts on board.
Kind regards, Soren.
The website was not helpful, but I think you have some of the original Amador Old Vines Zin. They’ve got lots of projects now, but this is the family that started Sutter Home, and like some other multi-generational big boys they have some old family holdings planted in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s. Not sure if the vines still exist today, but I’m pretty sure they did in 1997.
Soren,
Just guessing here, since I’ve never seen this wine nor tried it.
The original SutterHome Zin (starting in '68, the last really good one was about '76) came from KenDeaver’s OldVine vnyd
out on ShenandoahSchoolRd. When CaryGott started Montevina in '74, they had (not particularly OV) Zin there on the
property. SutterHome (Trinchero) bought Montevina somewhare in the late '80’s. They continued the Montevina label for awhile,
but now use the Terra d’Oro label. Under SutterHome, the Montevina/Td’O wines have been pretty quotidian…at best.
My guess is that this TrincheroFamilyEstate (their top-of-the-line) wine is made from grapes of the Montevina/Td’O property.
If it came from Deaver, I’m sure they would have labeled it as such.
I wouldn’t particularly expect great stuff from this wine.
Tom
Thanks for detailed infos about this very productive family.
I finally found an old (2001) pricelist from a large supermarket-chain, here in Denmark, with the wine listed. The price was… $25… It just looks so “expensive”.
I will try it soon, with no expectations. I have little to non memorable experience with zinfandel. So this will be My start reference with this grape varietal. 90% of My collection consists of bords, burgs and rhones.
Regards, Soren.
I guess the good news is that if this is going to be your benchmark for zinfandel…you’re going to be REALLY impressed with everything else you try 
In all seriousness, there’s some amazing producers doing phenomenal things with the grape. The list goes on and on (and you can easily find many threads on the topic), but do yourself a favor and find some Bedrock, Carlisle, Ridge (especially geyserville, Lytton Springs, and pagani), or Limerick Lane if you want to establish a solid benchmark for the varietal.
I fully understand that it doesn’t represent what can be done with the grape.
Maybe I should find one of the above mentioned, as a “back up” bottle. Like both ends of the scale, references.
Regards, Soren.
Sounds like a great plan to me!
Hope you enjoy some of those producers as much as many of us on this board do.
Let us know how it goes!
Good job, Rich! Carry on with the “Good News”!
And 14.8% is not high for zinfandel.
Yeah, I had to laugh at the description of “high voltage”. California Zinfandel is routinely above 15% these days.