2021 DASHE Zinfandel Vineyard Select

DASHE Zinfandel Vineyard Select

¥4,730 (incl. tax)

Dashe Cellars sees Vineyard Select Zinfandel as a great “bistro wine” that can accompany a wide range of dishes and bring pleasure to friends and family around the table. The winery sources fruit from favorite vineyards in three appellations: Dry Creek Valley, Contra Costa County, and Clarksburg. In 2021, the blend is 76% Zinfandel, 15% Teroldego, and 7% Tannat. The latter two are not well known in California. Teroldego is a local favorite around Trentino in Northern Italy, while Tannat is limited to Madiran in South West France (but is well-established in Uruguay). These grapes combine wonderfully with the Zin, adding depth, color, spice, and texture. Each variety was fermented separately on indigenous yeasts, and the wine aged in 100% 1-year-old or older barrels in order to emphasize the natural flavors of the fruit. The wine impresses with bright aromatics, a lush and lively texture, gorgeous pomegranate and black cherry fruit, and bright acidity. Suggested food pairings include Penne with Fennel Sausage & Lemon, Herb Spiced Meatloaf, and Tandori Chicken.

Winery


Winery Description

Most winemakers would feel “married to the job,” but Dashe Winery, founded and run by husband and wife team Michael and Anne Dashe, gives new meaning to “labor of love.” Michael studied at UC Davis and gained experience at Ch. Lafite-Rothschild, Far Niente and Ridge Vineyards, among others, while Anne trained at the University of Bordeaux and worked at Ch. La Dominique as well as in the Napa Valley. A shared passion for wine brought Michael and Anne together and led them to start the winery just months after getting married in 1996. But what they really shared was a desire to create something new: California wines with a European personality. Their wines would be made “naturally,” so they would express the pure flavors of their fruit and the terroir of the vineyards. 

 A small 10,000 case winery, Dashe Cellars has not followed the typical script of a wine country start-up. They do not own any vineyards, preferring to obtain grapes through long-term contracts with growers of older, low-yielding vineyards in the cooler appellations of Sonoma County. And the winery is located in downtown Oakland – with neither a barn nor tractor in sight. Yet these decisions have allowed them to focus on perfecting an artisinal approach to winemaking, including small-lot fermentation, the use of indigenous yeasts, and little-or-no fining or filtration. They also seek to limit the influence of oak on their wines by using large-format oak vessels including 900-gallon foudres and 120-gallon puncheons, as well as older traditional French barrels. 

 Ultimately, where the story of Dashe Cellars has really moved off script has been in styling a new personality for an old California stalwart, Zinfandel. While their portfolio includes Grenache, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Riesling, it emphasizes single-vineyard Zinfandel. Yet Michael and Anne Dashe have refuted the belief that great California Zin must be massive and port-like in alcohol content. Not one Zinfandel among their current releases reaches 15% in alcohol; these wines emphasize balance, elegance and perfume over power, and (refuting another notion about the power and preferences of critics) they are routinely awarded high scores. In a recent blog post, Michael Dashe set down his goal for this archetypal California grape, saying “Zinfandel needs to compete—and should compete—on the world stage, with other great varietals from other countries. It needs to taste good on its own, with fruit, acidity, alcohol, and structure all in balance.”

About this Wine


Country USA
Region California
Appellation(s) California
Winery Dashe
Vintage 2021
Color Red
Varietal(s) 78% Zinfandel, 15% Teroldego, 7% Tannat
Closure Screw Cap
Volume 750ml
Bottle Size 7.5 x 30.0
Case Size 33.0 x 24.5 x 31.0
Alcohol 14.1%
Product Code MD21CZ
UPC 654884108170

Owning & Enjoying


Tasting notes

Aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, and pomegranate accompany hints of cassis, chocolate, and spice. Flavors of black cherry intertwine with clove and black pepper as well as a lush, lively texture and bright acidity that balances the sweet fruit flavors. 

Production


Vinification

Each grape variety was fermented separately on indigenous yeasts. The wine aged 14 months in French oak barrels that were 1 year old or older. 

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