Medium-dark ruby hued in the glass, this wine presents aromatic suggestions of dark cherry, rose petals, earth and game on the nose, with a thin herbal edge of sage and fennel. More dark red fruits emerge on the palate offering an interplay of floral and spice tones like violets, lavender, nutmeg and black peppercorn. This wine is charming, with firm yet refined tannin that yields to a distinct freshness and juiciness.

Welling with presence and persistence, the purity of fruit and stony minerality brings further energy to the wine, culminating in a savory and long finish. Accessible in its youth, this wine will continue to gain depth of flavor and complexity over the next ten years.

2017 began with a very wet winter and spring. From November 2016 through May 2017, we received sixty inches of rainfall, approximately twice the precipitation of a normal year. Bud break started at the end of March, and the spring’s rains allowed for healthy canopy growth. The vines thrived in early June with the switch to warmer, drier conditions. This set the stage for uniform flowering, ensuring a good fruit set. The weather progressed to a pattern of frequent heat spikes through July, August and into Labor Day. It was the hottest summer we have recorded. Still, we were able to farm twenty percent of our vineyards without irrigation. Harvest began in late August, with the core occurring in late September and early October. 2017 will be defined by lush, bright fruit with ripe tannins and ample acidity. We were fortunate to harvest prior to the wildfires that began October 8th.

• Blend: 97% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Sirah
• Appellation: Sonoma Valley
• Vineyards: Hamel Family Ranch, Armor Plate
• Production: 894 Cases
• Harvest Dates: 8/29/17 – 9/9/17
• Fermentation: 97% Stainless Steel Tanks, 3% French Oak Tanks
• Aging: 14 Months, 56% Neutral French Oak Barrels, 44% New French Oak Barrels
• Bottling Date: 3/18/19
• Alcohol: 15%