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1977 California Zinfandel

Winemaker's Notes
The Montelena Zinfandel style has evolved to one of pronounced fruitiness.  Inhibition of the secondary fermentation and just over a year in small oak barrels achieves this goal.  1977 provided very good mature grapes from Napa and Alexander Valleys.

Vintage Weather
Hot. Second drought year.  Little bit cooler than 1976. Growers more prepared for low water.  Vines still somewhat stressed, but the fruit had good balance and concentration.  Long, cool, crush.

Tasting Notes
Their very intense, spicy, briary characters are balanced by the berry aroma and flavor of fruit from Paso Robles.  Although bone dry, the richly complex flavors leave a distinctly sweet impression followed by the assurance of enough tannin to help preserve the wine.  Further bottle age of at least two years is heartily recommended.

Jerry E. Luper, Winemaker