2009 Forchini Vineyard South Knoll Zinfandel
Winemaker's Notes
The last time I bottled these blocks separately was in 2001 - for similar reasons. The sandier soils of this block (compared to the North Flats) show the classic old vine zin characteristics we have all come to expect. The nose exhibits concentrated blackberries and wild raspberry jam with spice and toffee. In your mouth the rich and full tannins are only masked by the power of the berry fruits and balanced acidity that keeps those flavors lingering on and on in the finish. Concentrated and complex, this wine will drink very well now and mature nicely well into the future.
—Winemaker Bob Cabral
The Vineyard
Located just south of the town of Healdsburg, these 100-year-old plus vines produce 1-2 tons to the acres. They are dry farmed on well-drained sandy/clay/loam soils. Cool Russian River Valley nights help maintain the crisp acids.
Harvest 2009
2009 produced magnificent wines, to rival those of 2007, expressing the individuality of the sites on which they were grown with intense flavors and perfumed aromas.
Following the hardships of the 2008 growing season, late winter and spring of 2009 were unseasonably warm with little precipitation. Bud break occurred early March and unlike 2008, frost was not a problem. Berry set was even, benefitting from ideal daytime temperatures around 70F-75F, despite early May rains. Some bunch-stem necrosis was evident on our vineyards, resulting in loss of yields.
The summer months were characterized by cooler than average weather, aided by morning fog, with very few heat spikes during the fruit ripening stage of the vine growth cycle. This resulted in intense flavor and aroma development, good acidity and phenolic development in tune with sugar accumulation. Warmer weather in late August ensured optimal ripeness culminating in harvest commencing in earnest by the Labor Day weekend. A warm September ensured that all Pinot Noir (Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Central Coast), Zinfandel and Chardonnay were picked before the mid-October rains that played havoc with later ripening varieties. Moderate yields delivered wines of exceptional color, flavors, and aromas with balanced acidity and tannins.
As in 2007, the wines convey their unique characters in a vivid, precise and evocative manner. The 2009 vintage is one of the finest I have experienced in my 31 vintages at a commercial winery.
Technical Notes
| Barrel Description: | 15% new oak, 15% 1-year-old, 70% 2-year-old |
|---|---|
| Barrel Aged: | 13 months |
| pH: | 3.53 |
| TA: | 0.67g/100ml |
| Alc.: | 14.7% |
| Release Date: | Spring 2012 |
| Release Price: | $50 |