2018 Rinaldi Vineyard Fiddletown Zinfandel
My Original Zin
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A luminescent black cherry color with dark ruby notes. Aromatically this wine is as all about old vines, red soils, and the cooler climate high-elevation vineyard that is Rinaldi. Aromatics of black cherry, caramel, barky, wild underbrush, white pepper, wild raspberries, freshly baked puff pastry and loamy notes. The palate is full and so lush, round and soft. A streak of minerality and juicy tannins in the midpalate, with a sinewy feel, that gives way to an elegant, but intense finish. The flavors of black cherry, raspberry, white pepper, crème brûlée and just a hint of dusted cinnamon complete this wine.
85 cases produced. In the Cohn Zone: drink now - 2030.
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In 1983, while at Florida International University in Miami, I took my first Wine and Beverage course. On one of the first days we tasted wine, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape and also a Zinfandel.
Obviously, both would shape my future (who knew?). The CdP was a Beaucastle and the Zinfandel was a from the Eschen Vineyard in Fiddletown, Amador (Ridge Vineyards). That Zin struck a chord with me and was the reason I fell in love with the varietal and is why I pursued working for Rosenblum Cellars, because of their focus on Zinfandel.
Many years later, I had the opportunity to take on a consulting job with with Kent (Rosenblum) at Renwood Winery in Amador County. As we were tasting through barrels, I came upon a few of Zinfandel that I fell in love with. The vineyard was called the Rinaldi and I knew I had to meet with this grower. After much conversation, I discovered the vineyard used to be called Eschen. It is hard to forget your first love! Each year, I am inspired as I make my Zin from the original vineyard that inspired me as a winemaker. I have come full circle.
I started Jeff Cohn Cellars with the help of my mother, Iris. One adorns the label as a tribute to her.
Appellation: Fiddletown, Amador County
Vineyard: Rinaldi, organic, replanted from its own heritage vines in 2000
This heritage vineyard was originally planted in the 1880's with Zinfandel and mixed blacks.
Vinification: 100% Zinfandel
The fruit is hand-picked then cold-soaked. I gently foot-stomp the fruit of which 15% is whole cluster, the rest is whole berry and de-stemmed. None is crushed. The wine goes through open-top, then 100% Malolactic fermentation and aged 18 months in large-format 100% new French oak barrels.
FedEx Ground:
$.01 12+ 750 mL bottles
$ 15 1 - 11 750 mL bottles
$ 15 per magnum
📦 Shipping Alert: We're watching the weather. If below 30° or above 70°, we won't ground ship your wine. We recommend FedEx Priority Overnight® to protect it from extreme temperatures.
95 Wine Advocate: Editor's Choice, Erin Brooks — The 2018 Zinfandel Rinaldi Vineyard comes from organically farmed vines, some more than 100 years old. It was made with 20% whole cluster and aged 18 months in 30% new French oak. It has a pale ruby color and segues from tar to dark fruits, purple flowers and crushed rock-like mineral nuances. The palate is medium-bodied and seamlessly structured with broody, floral laced flavors and a long, spicy finish.
94 Jeb Dunnuck — the 2018 Zinfandel Rinaldi Vineyard sports an almost opaque ruby/plum color to go with impressive red and blue fruits as well as spice, savory herbs, incense, and pepper. Gorgeous on the palate as well, it's medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, present tannins, and a great finish. This is pure, all-star American Zinfandel to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years.