Limerick Lane Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Co., California 2021

Limerick Lane Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Co., California 2021

Limerick Lane is a 53-acre estate located in the northeast corner of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. In an appellation that’s renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Limerick Lane produces world-class Zinfandel and Rhône Varietals. Sitting at the crux of where soil, water levels, rocks, sunshine, wind, and fog meet, Limerick Lane’s wines are perfectly suited for this location. Limerick Lane practices minimal intervention winemaking, taking a “hands-off, eyes-on” approach to farming.

Chris Pittenger, who is also known for his Gros Ventre Label, is the head winemaker for Limerick Lane. Chris makes this wine from a blend of estate-grown fruit sourced from a handful of old vine sites from around the region. Bottled every August, the majority of fruit is destemmed and fermented in 4-ton open-top fermenters. The wine undergoes native fermentation, followed by 11 months of aging in neutral French oak. He has a careful hand with the Zinfandel, not overworking or overextracting the fruit, carefully creating a balanced wine.

This is a highly aromatic, juicy, jammy wine. Bright and intensely floral, the 2021 vintage displays Zinfandel’s characteristic crushed red berry fruits, white flowers, and herbal, minty notes. This wine is PLUSH and bold and romantic, as well as structured and fresh, all at the same time. The first time I tasted this Zinfandel, I immediately felt the urge to put on deep berry lipstick and drape myself across a dusty velveteen sofa, wine glass in hand (am I weird?). Anyway, I will be popping this baby open the next time we smoke a ribeye, or to accompany an epic cheese board! — Karen Smith, Explore Like A Somm Club, April 2024

• Farming: Organic
• Variety: Zinfandel
• Terroir: a blend of estate-grown fruit and a handful of old vine sites from around the region.
• Vinification: The majority of fruit is destemmed and fermented in 4-ton open-top fermenters. Native fermentation. 
• Aging: 11 months, neutral French oak.
• Tasting Note: full-bodied and rich with a core of beautiful fresh fruit and striking acidity and structure.
• Scores: 91 points - Antonio Galloni "The 2021 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is an absolute delight. Bright and intensely floral, 2021 is packed with varietal character. Crushed red berry fruit, white flowers, and mint all race out of the glass in this refreshing, juicy Zinfandel from Limerick Lane."