> 2008 Jack Rabbit Zinfandel
2008 Jack Rabbit Zinfandel |
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 Winemaker’s Notes
The 2008 Jack Rabbit Flat Zinfandel is dark red in color. It has aromas of dark berry, holiday spices, and smoked meat that waft from the glass with each swirl. On the palate, flavors of plum, black berry, and white pepper, linger through the finish. The tannins are firm and the wine should cellar well for up to 10 years. Our oldest vineyard, it still continues to produce alluring wines of outstanding character.
Vintage
The growing season of 2008 started off with a week of very cold temperatures prior to bud break. As in the previous vintage we had had half the normal rainfall, so we are officially in drought conditions. The year finished well and the rain held off until December.
Vineyards
The block called “Jack Rabbit Flat” Zinfandel comes from the Fox Creek Vineyard, which is one of the classic ancient vineyards of Amador County. It was planted over 80 years ago when Prohibition and the Volstead Act, gave opportunities to grape growers to ship grapes to home “juice” makers. Rancher Sue Fox manages to find time between her horses and Brangus cattle to tend to this national treasure we know as Jack Rabbit Flat. This immaculately maintained vineyard gives the head-trained vines the ability to ripen to maximum potential. The fruit is picked at the highest degree of ripeness, resulting in a wine of great richness and complexity.
Fermentation and Aging
The fruit was fermented in closed top stainless steel tank, followed by a 15 day extended maceration on the skins. The wine was aged 15 months in a combination of New French and 2-year-old French oak barrels. The challenge of coaxing fruit from these old vines is offset by the quality and finesse of the grapes that you do get. |
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Detailed Wine Information |
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