The 2009 Zinfandel is the 2008 times two. Partly I think the growing season was better here on the mountain, but the experience of the previous vintage also helped. For everything that came in before the first big rain October 12th, the growing season was pretty uneventful. For Zinfandel, this lack of drama is crucial to the quality of the fruit. There are more savory notes to this wine than 2008, which helps mark its place of origin more acutely. The wine leads with cracked black pepper, beef blood, and white and red floral notes. The spicy fruit takes over on the palate with a mix of kirsch, black cherries, and what can only be described as "Zinberry" (though we've still never seen one) that balances the brambly, briary structure of Howell Mountain. I feel like I've been talking about this wine since it went to barrel... so I'm happy it's finally time to give everyone else a taste.

-Thomas Rivers Brown, Winemaker