2022 Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel

Variety: 100 % Zinfandel (Primitivo)

Region of Origin: Mendocino County, California

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel is a bold and expressive red displaying the unique character of California's North Coast. The aromas are concentrated with baking spices, including cinnamon and cloves, which transition into notes of blackberries, black currants, and dried sage. On the palate, it has a round and lush texture, with focused fruit expression. Flavours of ripe raspberries, cherries, red currants, and nectarines are complemented by hints of vanilla bean, graham crackers, and toasted oak. It is medium to full-bodied, featuring soft, integrated tannins and a refreshing acidity.  

Wine Making

The winemaker is Ben Salazar, who has been with Edmeades since 2012. Salazar brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Carmel Road and La Crema, contributing to Edmeades' reputation for producing bold, expressive Zinfandels that reflect the unique terroir of Mendocino County. Edmeades emphasizes a minimal intervention approach to highlight the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard. Grapes are sourced from Mendocino County’s rugged coastal mountains, working closely with a select group of growers known for producing some of the region's most prized fruit. The grapes undergo fermentation using native yeasts in small, open-top bins. Manual punch-downs are employed to gently extract colour and flavour, maintaining the integrity of the fruit. The wine is aged for 19 months in a combination of 64% French and 36% American oak barrels, with 25% being new oak.

The Vineyard

One notable vineyard used to source grapes for this wine is the Shamrock Vineyard, planted in 2001 at an elevation of 2,900 feet, making it one of the highest vineyards in Mendocino County. The vineyard is part of a 17,000-acre ranch that also runs 300 head of cattle. The high elevation and challenging growing conditions, including the threat of spring frosts and a short growing season, result in "on the edge" grape growing.