2006 season notes: The growing season in the Russian River Valley was relatively cool for most of the 2006 maturation cycle. Due to the typical extended hang time we experience year to year in our area, the flavors matured slowly and fully. Temperatures fell near early harvest time during 2006, and we experienced a brief rainfall that did little more than settle the dust before harvest. Winds soon dried the traces of moisture, and we were back to watching temperatures rise again, coaxing the grape sugars. Enough sunshine allowed for a dry harvest and a fully ripened crop. The grapes were harvested with even and consistent berry clusters at the peak of flavor. Hand sorting provided us with the best clusters for crush. Fortunately, this great year provided high quality and slightly higher harvest yields in 2006 from our over century old Gamba Estate Vineyard. 2006 Gamba Old Vine Zinfandel “Gamba Estate Vineyard” tasting notes: The new 2006 release of our Old Vine “Gamba Estate Vineyard” Zinfandel features an intense, lovely deep ruby color. Exquisite layers of abundant ripe raspberry, Bing cherry and stone fruits merge gracefully with subtle cinnamon spice and clove, accentuating the complexity of our 2006 Gamba Estate Zinfandel. The wines were aged in a lion’s share of new, toasty oak cooperage to round out the flavor profile, adding balance and additional complexity to the wine. The layers of bright fruits and spicy notes develop into lovely subtle nuances of roasted nutty oak on the enjoyable, lingering finish. |