This is the twelfth vintage of our estate-bottled Zinfandel. The fruit originates from the old Baldinelli property that was planted in the early 1970's. We choose from several lots. Vines are head-trained and unirrigated. The vineyard is rigorously suckered for proper cluster spacing and sun exposure to get full flavor development. Flavors are full, rich, smooth, and gutsy. The wine has huge brambly blackberry fruit, big cedar, spice box aromas and flavors. It has a smooth creamy finish from aging in François Frères and Taransaud barrels (1/3 new). 2009 was a particularly interesting year in the Sierra Foothills and the Shenandoah Valley. Our spring was cold, and there was late frost damage that reduced the crop size. Harvest began towards the end of September, not particularly late, but considering the small crop, on the late side. The quality of the fruit was high with small clusters. Our estate vineyard was harvested on September 28th and 29th. Our Zinfandel's have no residual sugar and nice balancing acidity.