Collins Ranch on Limerick Lane has long been one of Carol’s favorite old vine Zin vineyards, so when its fruit became available in 2021, she jumped on the opportunity to work with these old geezers, planted in 1908. They are a field blend but not too crazy with oddball varieties, and the grapes have a very distinctive soft, spicy red raspberry fruit quality, with a depth of flavor that is quite appealing. Here’s to many more years of Collins Reserve in our future!

Winemaker Notes:

Soft red raspberry-cherry nose, nice spice cabinet and a touch of dusty earthiness. Vibrant raspberry fruit in mouth, a bit of cigar box—cedar and clove, a nice mellow cocoa-oak quality that respects the old vine fruit. Long and bright in finish, smooth and elegant tannins…a classic Zin from Limerick Lane fruit!

Harvest Date:

September 18, 2021

Average TA/pH at Harvest:

0.68 gm/100ml pH 3.44

Fermentation Characteristics:

All bin-fermented (3 different yeasts) & hand punched down twice daily. Total of 12 days on skins, including 3 days cold soak pre-fermentation.

Cellar Storage/Aging:

18 months in oak barrels. 10 months in 25% each new Hungarian & American and 50% older American and French, followed by 8 months in older French and American.

Varietal:

'100%' Old Vine Zinfandel (field blended with bits of Alicante and Petite Sirah, etc)

Appellation:

95% Collins Vineyard, planted in 1908, Russian River Valley (on Limerick Lane)

Release Date:

February 15, 2024