Zinfandel | Mother Clone v.2018 SONOMA COUNTY, DRY CREEK VALLEY
Mother Clone Vineyard Sources:
Pedroncelli’s historic Zinfandel vineyards are situated on the hillsides surrounding the winery. They are located on the ranch originally purchased by John Pedroncelli Sr. in 1927 and planted to Zinfandel since 1904. The vines are head-pruned and hand-picked, a second-generation vineyard cloned from the original “Mother” vines. The individual blocks were replanted in the early 1980s. The fruit from the remaining 110-year-old vines, although a small part, is included. We also source from Bushnell and Faloni, both longtime Zinfandel vineyards.
Winemaking:
Zinfandel from the 2018 vintage was harvested the third week of September. A solid winter of rain gave the vineyards a great start. Summer was cooler with no prolonged heat. These cooler temperatures slowed the ripening of the grapes giving them great development and an even growing season. With an uneventful harvest, Zinfandel shows ripe flavors, bright acidity, and wonderful aromatics.
At the crush pad, destemmed grapes are transferred to a fermentation tank to cold soak for 48 hours and then is inoculated with selected yeast. Daily pump-overs and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with delestage regimes are done for maximum phenolic extraction. Pressing follows and the new wine is transferred to storage tanks until barreled down. Twelve months of aging in American oak barrels develop additional complexity. The addition of Petite Sirah (10%) adds depth of color and brings structure to the blend.
Tasting Notes:
Our Mother Clone is a classic ‘Dry Creek’ Zinfandel with aromas of ripe blackberries and a touch of warm baking spices. This Zin is plump with jammy berry flavors combined with a touch of black pepper spice and notes of vanilla, and toasty oak. The spicy-berry dynamic so typical of Dry Creek Zin combines round tannins and a long, spicy finish which are a hallmark of our style. Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years.
APPELLATION: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
BARREL AGING: 12 months in American Oak, 30% new oak
ALCOHOL: 14.8%
pH: 3.57
TOTAL ACIDITY: .573g/100m
Pedroncelli Winery has come a long way since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyards and a small winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. Today, the vineyards are planted to premium grape varieties, the winery is filled with modern equipment, and wines bearing the Pedroncelli name grace tables from coast to coast. But two elements from 70 years ago remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family grows grapes, and the family's dedication to making fine wines.
