Haywood Zinfandel Los Chamizal Vineyard Sonoma County 1997

Winemaker Notes: This classic zinfandel is made from fruit grown in the fractured rock terraces of Los Chamizal Vineyard on the Mayacamus mountains, located high above the historic Sonoma Plaza. Rocky Terrace Zinfandel goes through a wild fermentation by not adding cultured yeast. Following fermentation the wine receives extended maceration for 30 days. Free run and press wine goes directly to barrels. We rack the wine four times while aging it in 100% new American oak barrels that are personally selected from five different coopers. It is then racked straight to bottling and bottled unfiltered. The resulting wine is well integrated with a peppermint, raspberry and spicy oak nose. The forward flavors of pepper and raspberry-peppermint are followed by an elegantly structured mid palate with a touch of vanilla on the finish which creates a well-balanced, round, full mouth feel. A limited quantity of this handcrafted wine is made each year.