2002 Chiarello Vineyards Felicia Old Vine Zinfandel
$45.00 -- 93 points, Wine Enthusiast (Oct 04)
For me, this Old Vine Zinfandel block is truly a labor of love. Fantastic quality and very low yield mean I can only make less than 200 cases each year, but I felt it is my duty as a steward of this beautiful land to farm these historic 94-year old vines. They make a spectacular, big fruit forward wine. Enjoy it with my Medium Rare Lamb Stew recipe.
This wine has a ripe blueberry, bubblegum nose with some notes of the spicy black muscat which makes up no more than 2% of the blend. Palate is very sweet with tastes of maple syrup, brown sugar, cola, rhubarb and thyme. As usual, it has a very distinct flavor profile. With more ripeness in 2002, it shows its origins and unique blend, finishing with notes of chocolate cream, charentais melon and white pepper.
Michael Chiarello & Thomas Brown
Owner & Winemaker
| Vintage: | 2002 |
| Release Date: | Oct 2004 |
| Appellation: | St. Helena District of Napa Valley |
| Blend: | 100% Zinfandel |
| Harvest: | Harvested by hand on September 13, 2002 |
| Barrel Aging: | 18 months in French Oak |
| Vineyard location: | Estate Grown, single vineyard, 94 year old Zinfandel in gravelly loam soil |
| Alcohol: | 15.3% |
| Production: | 125 Cases |
| Price: | $45/bottle -- $540/case |