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: 2010 Martinelli "Vellutini Ranch" Russian River Valley Zinfandel

2010 Martinelli "Vellutini Ranch" Russian River Valley Zinfandel

SKU #1140094 92 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Inky violet color. Aromas of red fruit liqueur, incense and smoky Indian spices. Intense raspberry and cherry flavors put on weight with air and pick up a floral nuance on the back end. This rich yet lively zinfandel finishes with excellent clarity and cling. (ST) Inner quote mark (5/2012)

92 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark This is dense and quite ripe, but backs it up with great intensity and structure. Aromas of blackberry pie and fresh cracked pepper lead to fleshy black cherry, licorice and caramel flavors. (TF) Inner quote mark (6/2012)

Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark Martinelli's 2010 Zinfandel Vellutini Ranch is a strong effort for a year that was hugely challenging for Zinfandel. Sweet tobacco, dark red cherries, wild flowers and new leather are all nicely balanced in a full-bodied, intense Zinfandel. The persistent, silky finish leaves a lasting impression. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. Ask the locals in Sonoma who the most meticulous farmers are in the region, and one answer comes back with astonishing frequency -- Martinelli. Originally from Lucca, Italy, Giuseppe Martinelli and his family were attracted to hillside sites that reminded them of their native Tuscany. Ironically, many of the locals thought those places were too steep and hard to work, but time has proven Martinelli had a keen understanding of sites. Today, these are recognized as some of the finest vineyards in California. The Martinelli family still sells most of their grape to other wineries, but they also vinify and bottle a small amount of their production. As always, these are big, rich wines built on opulence. The Martinelli approach seems to work best with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I find the Syrahs less interesting, as Martinelli’s philosophical approach to harvest very late seems to blur some of the differences among vineyards, which is a shame. That is especially evident in a vintage like 2009, which yielded plenty of richness on its own. (AG) Inner quote mark (4/2013)

K&L Notes

Consulting winemaker is Helen Turley. From the winery: "The Vellutini Ranch is bordered on the east by Jackass Hill and on the south by Jackass Vineyard, sharing the same Franciscan soil type....The Zinfandel is planted with bud wood from the Martinelli family’s centurion grapevines Jackass Hill and Jackass Vineyard."

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2010 Martinelli "Vellutini Ranch" Russian River Valley Zinfandel

Price: $59.99

Quantity:

ST: 92

WS: 92

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Additional Information:

Varietal:

Zinfandel

- The bid to name Zinfandel California's "State Varietal" may have failed, but this red wine grape, grown extensively in California since the mid-1800s, is grown in few other places in the world. Sadly, much of what's cultivated today is planted where it's too hot and flat. But when planted to well-drained, hillside vineyards that are warm but not too hot, like those in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley and Amador County in the Sierra Foothills, Zinfandel can produce wines with plenty of character. High in natural alcohol and tannin, grown carefully it can be rich and complex, with dark fruit berry fruit and peppery spice. The most known example of Zinfandel outside of California is Italy's Primitivo, which can be similar in style, but is often a bit lighter and less alcoholic than West Coast examples.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Alexander Valley/Russian River

- Among Sonoma County's northernmost appellations, the Alexander Valley AVA acts as a gateway to neighboring Napa to the east and Mendocino to the north. It is a sprawling appellation, with pockets of distinct microclimates and soils, and as such, is home to a variety of wine grapes and styles. Nearly everything grows in the Alexander Valley, though Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely planted grapes. The Russian River Valley lies to the south of Alexander Valley, and is marked by much cooler temperatures and frequently heavy fog. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown here are some of the state's finest and most sought-after. Aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer and Riesling can also be successful, and sparkling wine production has a long history in the area.

Alcohol Content (%):

16.9