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2020 Monte Rosso Zinfandel

  • Tasting Notes

    Eye
    Magenta core, ruby rim.

    Nose
    Tuberose, trumpet flower, and English lavender followed by warm boysenberry, blueberry, rhubarb, crème brûlée, and cascades of nutmeg, clove, and vanilla.

    Palate
    Lush, plush, and juicy with a seamless pas de deux of fruit and acid and vibrant, lingering finish.

    Cellar life
    Drink now through 2035+.

  • Specs
    • Composition
      100% Monte Rosso Zinfandel
    • Appellation
      Sonoma Valley
    • Barrel aging
      11 months in 50% new French oak
    • Alc. by vol.
      15.2%
    • Production
      500 cases in 12 x 750ml format
  • Background

    This wine is a landmark in Brown Estate’s production history. It is our first Sonoma Zin, hailing from the storied Monte Rosso Vineyard that since 2015 has been under the stewardship of Brenae Royal. Shortly before taking the helm as Vineyard Manager at Monte Rosso, Brenae visited Brown Estate with friends who were (and are) our wine club members. She and David struck up a friendship and a long-running conversation about farming old vines, and amidst the mayhem of 2020 he found himself walking a 127-year old vineyard block at Monte Rosso (E13, planted 1893) where, he reported, Each vine is like an exquisite sculpture with a wild, chaotic “hairstyle” signaling its vibrant energy. This wine comprises fruit from that block as well as E26 (planted 2008) and E55 (planted 1996, coincidentally the year of our very first vintage of Brown Zin), with vineyard elevations between 800-1050 ft. This is vintage no. 1.