Our first day in Napa Valley took us (I was traveling with social networking maven Claudia Sheridan) several places — here are two that turned our heads.
ZD Wines
Assistant tasting room manager Chris explained that the winery practiced all organic farming, including from the growers they use. Having the benefit of long term leases from where they buy their fruit, they have nice relationships without owning the land. They also do their own bottling. (see notes below on the bottling.)
The founders’ initials are Z and D, and zero defects was the department the two worked in together as aerospace engineers. Both families were involved for awhile, however, since the 1980s the deLeuze family solely owns and operates the winery.
Tasting ZD
2013 Chardonnay – 45th Anniversary Vintage (Their flagship wine, from all over, 10 months in oak)
Blond oak, unsalted butter, Meyer lemon, steely; tangy, navel orange slices, medium acid, long oaky finish.
2012 Reserve Chardonnay – 16 months in oak.
More toasted oak aromas, white peach; bright acidic fruit, creamy, lingering.
2012 Pinot Noir, Carneros (what they were founded on in 1969, 10 months in oak)
Dried cherries, sweetness, stems and seeds; bright strawberry, tangy, finish never ends.
2012 Rosa Lee Cabernet Franc 100%
All Rosa Lee labels are one white and red that is never planned to be repeated.
Berry, jammy, wet bark; dry, tannic, taste buds standing up, refreshing for a dark red wine.
After the tasting Chris led us on a tour. You know me and winery tours, but I was surprised by two things at ZD: a library cellar with Pinot Noirs dating back to 1969 and Chardonnays dating back to the early 70s. The second surprise was the on-site bottling line. According to Chris most wineries use a bottling truck, however, to keep the control “in house”, they wanted full control of the bottling and labeling too. They only use the room five weeks a year and never bottle for others. And, of course, keeping in line with the way they do things, ZD also does their own shipping.
Del Dotto Vineyards
http://www.deldottovineyards.com
No visit to Napa Valley is complete without at least a Del Dotto drive by. Though I have visited winemaker Gerard Zanzonico almost every year since my first as press in 2008, my travel partner, Claudia Sheridan, hadn’t.
Gerard was in the midst of harvest and with heavy eyelids he still ran us through a quick end-of-the-day tasting of some his new 2013 wines in the ornate barrel room. (Gerard said the 2013 is going to be his best vintage – so get some!) We could tell, though these wines were going to see more barrel time before their release, the incredible rich fruit and oak influence in many, including the new Villa Del Lago Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, due to be released in February of 2016.
We also loved tastes of the 2012 Oakville Connoisseurs’ Series Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2012 Rutherford Estate “The David” blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Claudia was impressed. From the outside of the winery on highway 29 a first time visitor cannot tell what is waiting for them – down stairs. I’ve written about the entire “experience” before but I’m still awed in Gerard’s presence, and by the grandeur of Del Dotto.
Reluctantly we said our goodbyes, though Gerard thought I might want to come by and help sort grapes as I had briefly done once before…I so wished I could.
Facebook album link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10204030874999605.1073741881.1455706632&type=1&l=ef858e481a
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
