2023 Sonoma Valley "Pagani Ranch" Zinfandel
95% Zinfandel with a sprinkling of mixed black varieties (Petite Sirah, Carignan, Mission, Grand Noir, and others)
5% Alicante Bouschet
The bulk of this wine was from fruit from the oldest vines on the ranch, planted circa 1895. Picked October 12th, yields were generous in this vintage but still well under 3 tons to the acre. Fully destemmed, on the skins for 25 days, and pressed to all French oak, 22% new. After performing blending trials the following spring, we included 5% Pagani Ranch Alicante Bouschet to add a touch more color and lengthen the finish. Unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Bright medium to medium-dark ruby-garnet. Red berries, salted plum, freshly tilled earth, and brown baking spices all waft from the glass. Stunning. A creamy entry leads to flavors of red cherry, sage, pepper, and earth. Structured but in a polished way (a common theme in our 2023s). We once described our Pagani Zin as a “lumberjack in a tuxedo.” That is not this wine. This is Cary Grant in a tuxedo! Suave, elegant, sophisticated, and debonairly charming. Enjoy this striking and well-balanced Zin from release through 2037. (MRO - 01/15/26)