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2012 Black Sears Vineyard Zinfandel

Black Sears Vineyard

Howell Mountain

SOLD OUT
LMTD PROD.

We are thrilled to offer this gorgeous limited production Zinfandel as part of our 2012 re-release. This vineyard's signature pepper and spice has developed beautifully in bottle since its release. Only 383 cases were produced ... and very little remains.

750 ml

2012 BLACK SEARS VINEYARD HOWELL MOUNTAIN ZINFANDEL
Rather than follow the dubious zinfandel tradition that began in the late ’80s of extracting to the maximum, leaving residual sweetness to add body, then American Oaking the wine to death, we choose to let the vineyard speak. The biodynamic and organic Black Sears Vineyard is dry farmed, producing tiny yields. Because they’re so close, Stephen is able to bring in the fruit exactly when he deems the flavors and development to be perfect. We punch the wine down by hand in tiny open top fermenters and then let it rest in almost all French Oak barrels.

TECHNICAL INFO
80% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Sirah 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
383 cases produced
TA: 5.4g/L | pH: 3.72
Alcohol: 14%

BLACK SEARS VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Unlike 2011 (and 2010, and even 2009 for that matter), 2012 was darn-near perfect. Jerre Sears’ and Joyce Black’s lovely vineyard is situated a mere 150 yards from our front gate, and the vines from our block, now in their sixties, are producing zinfandel like no other in the world. 2012 was marked by slow, steady development, with a heat spike in August followed by the return of moderate temperatures. Fruit lingered on the vine until mid-October, developing juicy, brambly, dusty, spicy, fabulous character. Without doubt, 2012 was a hallmark vintage from this vineyard.

7-YEAR TASTING NOTES
At the 7-year mark, The dry farmed vines that were planted in the mid- seventies have produced an exquisite wine in 2012 that shows Black Sears vineyard in every aspect of the wine. The signature ground white pepper, spice and crushed rock are present on the pallet and in the bouquet of this gorgeous wine. At 7 years, it is showing more Rhône than California.

2012 BLACK SEARS VINEYARD HOWELL MOUNTAIN ZINFANDEL
Rather than follow the dubious zinfandel tradition that began in the late ’80s of extracting to the maximum, leaving residual sweetness to add body, then American Oaking the wine to death, we choose to let the vineyard speak. The biodynamic and organic Black Sears Vineyard is dry farmed, producing tiny yields. Because they’re so close, Stephen is able to bring in the fruit exactly when he deems the flavors and development to be perfect. We punch the wine down by hand in tiny open top fermenters and then let it rest in almost all French Oak barrels.

TECHNICAL INFO
80% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Sirah 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
383 cases produced
TA: 5.4g/L | pH: 3.72
Alcohol: 14%

BLACK SEARS VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Unlike 2011 (and 2010, and even 2009 for that matter), 2012 was darn-near perfect. Jerre Sears’ and Joyce Black’s lovely vineyard is situated a mere 150 yards from our front gate, and the vines from our block, now in their sixties, are producing zinfandel like no other in the world. 2012 was marked by slow, steady development, with a heat spike in August followed by the return of moderate temperatures. Fruit lingered on the vine until mid-October, developing juicy, brambly, dusty, spicy, fabulous character. Without doubt, 2012 was a hallmark vintage from this vineyard.

7-YEAR TASTING NOTES
At the 7-year mark, The dry farmed vines that were planted in the mid- seventies have produced an exquisite wine in 2012 that shows Black Sears vineyard in every aspect of the wine. The signature ground white pepper, spice and crushed rock are present on the pallet and in the bouquet of this gorgeous wine. At 7 years, it is showing more Rhône than California.

About This Wine

2012 BLACK SEARS VINEYARD HOWELL MOUNTAIN ZINFANDEL
Rather than follow the dubious zinfandel tradition that began in the late ’80s of extracting to the maximum, leaving residual sweetness to add body, then American Oaking the wine to death, we choose to let the vineyard speak. The biodynamic and organic Black Sears Vineyard is dry farmed, producing tiny yields. Because they’re so close, Stephen is able to bring in the fruit exactly when he deems the flavors and development to be perfect. We punch the wine down by hand in tiny open top fermenters and then let it rest in almost all French Oak barrels.

TECHNICAL INFO
80% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Sirah 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
383 cases produced
TA: 5.4g/L | pH: 3.72
Alcohol: 14%

Vineyard

BLACK SEARS VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Unlike 2011 (and 2010, and even 2009 for that matter), 2012 was darn-near perfect. Jerre Sears’ and Joyce Black’s lovely vineyard is situated a mere 150 yards from our front gate, and the vines from our block, now in their sixties, are producing zinfandel like no other in the world. 2012 was marked by slow, steady development, with a heat spike in August followed by the return of moderate temperatures. Fruit lingered on the vine until mid-October, developing juicy, brambly, dusty, spicy, fabulous character. Without doubt, 2012 was a hallmark vintage from this vineyard.

Tasting Notes

7-YEAR TASTING NOTES
At the 7-year mark, The dry farmed vines that were planted in the mid- seventies have produced an exquisite wine in 2012 that shows Black Sears vineyard in every aspect of the wine. The signature ground white pepper, spice and crushed rock are present on the pallet and in the bouquet of this gorgeous wine. At 7 years, it is showing more Rhône than California.