Denier Handal Vineyard Zinfandel (3)

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Okay, all you would-be vampires. Here’s your chance to stock up on a Zinfandel that’s just as dark as your black black hearts. Why else would they name it Denier Handal?

This Zinfandel walks among other wines undetected, with the best qualities of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. But, to those who know how to look, it shines like a jewel in a glass. Lean in close and smell the wood and spice. Exotic? Ancient? But it seems so mysteriously fresh!

But at night, when the fog opens your bedroom door… there it stands. The 2009 Denier Handal Vineyard, Alexander Valley Zinfandel 750ml 3-Pack. You try to look away, but you’re mesmerized. The black currants, the blackberries, the black cherries and black pepper. “Drink,” it whispers, and you feel the raspberries and figs mixing on your palate. You close your eyes, enthralled, knowing that you have two more nights of such glorious visitations… and then, the three bottles will be empty, and you will serve Denier Handal… for all time.

• Harvest dates: Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2009
• Single Vineyard Designate: 100 % Denier Handal Vineyard, Alexander Valley
• In the Cellar: Fermentation in open top tanks with manual punchdown 2 – 4 times a day
• Length of fermentations: 10 – 13 days
• Oak Regimen: Aged in 2 year old French oak barrels for 10 1/2 months.
• Cases: 273
• Bottled Date: Aug. 29, 2010
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• pH: 3.78
• Residual Sugar: Less than 0.1%
• Varietals: 90 % Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah

Woot