The intense aromas and flavors of our 2003 Zinfandel reflect the personality of Rancho Arroyo Grande. With lush layers of blackberry, black tea, cloves, and intriguing accents of pepper and mineral, this wine is well balanced to pair nicely with a wide array of foods. The finish is elegant with a rich texture and firm tannins.
2003 was a typically long growing season with warm days in the summer and cooler days in the fall. The long hang time allowed for small berry clusters with intense flavors. The grapes were carefully handpicked in mid October with yields averaging 2.6 tons per acre.
The fruit was fermented in small lots and punched down four times a day during the peak of primary fermentation for maximum flavor and color extraction. The lots were then aged separately in 25% new French oak and 100% new American oak for a firm backbone and complex tanninis. After six months the lots were master blended and left to harmonize for another three months before bottling. |
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