viognier

chardonnay

pinot noir

zinfandel

petite sirah

merlot

cabernet (dry creek valley)

cabernet (alexander valley)

late harvest zin

2007 Hawley Late Harvest Zinfandel

Vineyards

This Zinfandel came from two vineyards. Tischler Vineyard (53%) is located up on the ridge overlooking Dry Creek Valley. Ponzo Vineyard (47%) is just outside Healdsburg near the mouth of Dry Creek. Crop was very light and we were impressed by the bright fruit flavor of the grapes.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked at 32 degrees brix which is too much sugar for most yeast to ferment to dryness, so the wine is left with whatever sugar remains. We fermented this small lot in one-ton open top fermentors and punched down the skins every few hours. The wine was drained when it fermented to about 5% sugar and the skins were pressed off in our old manual basket press. The wine was aged for seven months in French and American oak barrels.

Technical

Appellation: Sonoma County
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Harvest Date: October 3, 23 2007
Alcohol: 15.5% R.S. 5%
Bottling Date: February 20, 2008
Cases Bottled: 104 (500ml)
Release Date: March 1, 2008

Tasting Notes

This Late Harvest Zinfandel is slightly sweet but retains some natural acidity which helps balance the sweetness. Blackberry and Raspberry fruit leap from the glass along with pepper and chocolate notes.

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Hawley Late Harvest Zin

Pumping crushed grapes into an open top fermentor