2021 Rinaldi Vineyard Zinfandel
My Original Zin
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From the vineyard that inspired me to Love Zinfandel (Eschen vineyard, Ridge vineyards), so many years ago. A deep ruby red color with hints of black cherry towards the middle of the glass. The aromatics are more towards red and blue fruits, with a peppery component the weaves in and out along with dried wild herbs and just a touch of lavender. On the palate the wine is both very rich, but shows a sense of elegance. Focusing on black cherry, freshly crushed black peppercorn, black licorice notes and savory on this medium-full bodied wine.
49 cases produced. In the Cohn Zone: drink now - 2029.
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In 1983, while at Florida International University in Miami, I took my first Wine and Beverage course. On one of the first days we tasted wine, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape and also a Zinfandel.
Obviously, both would shape my future (who knew?). The CdP was a Beaucastle and the Zinfandel was a from the Eschen Vineyard in Fiddletown, Amador (Ridge Vineyards). That Zin struck a chord with me and was the reason I fell in love with the varietal and is why I pursued working for Rosenblum Cellars, because of their focus on Zinfandel.
Many years later, I had the opportunity to take on a consulting job with with Kent (Rosenblum) at Renwood Winery in Amador County. As we were tasting through barrels, I came upon a few of Zinfandel that I fell in love with. The vineyard was called the Rinaldi and I knew I had to meet with this grower. After much conversation, I discovered the vineyard used to be called Eschen. It is hard to forget your first love! Each year, I am inspired as I make my Zin from the original vineyard that inspired me as a winemaker. I have come full circle.
I started Jeff Cohn Cellars with the help of my mother, Iris. One adorns the label as a tribute to her.
Appellation: Fiddletown, Amador County
Vineyard: Rinaldi, organic, replanted from its own heritage vines in 2000
This heritage vineyard was originally planted in the 1880's with Zinfandel and mixed blacks.
Vinification: 100% Zinfandel
The fruit is hand-picked then cold-soaked. I gently foot-stomp the fruit of which 15% is whole cluster, the rest is whole berry and de-stemmed. None is crushed. The wine goes through open-top, then 100% Malolactic fermentation and aged 18 months in large-format 100% new French oak barrels.
FedEx Ground:
$.01 12+ 750 mL bottles
$15 1 - 11 750 mL bottles
$15 per magnum
📦 Shipping Alert: We're watching the weather. If below 30° or above 70°, we won't ground ship your wine. We recommend FedEx Priority Overnight® to protect it from extreme temperatures.
94 James Suckling, Jim Gordon — So ripe, pretty and plush on a full body, with delicious, plump raspberry and blackberry flavors. Rich in texture, rather soft in tannins and easy to sip. Drink now or hold.
94 Wine Spectator, Tim Fish — Rich and supple yet keenly structured, with cherry and raspberry flavors highlighted by briar patch, licorice and toasty brown spice flavors that build zestiness toward lively tannins. Drink now through 2032.
93 Jeb Dunnuck, Audrey Frick — Coming from a site in the Fiddletown region of Amador County, the 2021 Zinfandel Rinaldi Vineyard is a sweetly fruited, medium-bodied, elegant Zinfandel offering lots of red and blue fruits, some peppery herb, floral, cigar, and violet-laced aromatics, firm, yet ripe and nicely integrated tannins, and a great finish. It has a fresher, focused, almost crunchy style that opens up nicely with time in the glass. It's a beautiful, balanced, silky Zinfandel that will evolve for 7-8 years. It's well worth seeking out.
92 Wine Enthusiast, Tanya Pitts — This wine is bright, lively with aromas of black currant, black cherry, pomegranate and dried florals. The palate has flavors of boysenberry, mulberry, dried chicory, vanilla and simmering spices. Pair with barbecued chicken.