Mission Codename Jampacked
Been a dozen or so Jacob Franklin offers – with each and every one selling out.
But THIS one is different in a couple of ways.
Your first clue is four names… Scarecrow, Staglin Family, Inglenook, and Joseph Phelps – if you haven’t figured it out yet, those are the neighbors of Morisoli, the famous Rutherford vineyard this is from. Think the $200+ single vineyard league for this exceptional site, but more on that later…
It also happens to be the FIRST of their epic Zins! We’re pumped to get our mitts on this one.
And what a wine. Usually $52 from the winery, yours for HALF that… you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Zin at this level. Did we mention the 93 points?
If you’re new to Jacob Franklin, here’s the deal. They’re one of our ultimate, must-have, go-to wineries. Always over-delivering, and this is no exception.
Maybe you know Elyse where Russel Bevan helps make the wines. The boutique family-run winery has been a best-kept secret in Napa for a long time. It’s named after their daughter. But they also have a son. And not wanting to play favorites, they helped him launch a small winery project under his name where they focus on crafting vineyard-designate wines that over-deliver big time.
The magic starts with Morisoli Vineyard. Home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vines (100+ years!) in Napa - and a treasured site, recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society, sandwiched in a prime spot at the dead center of the Rutherford Bench’s alluvial fan. And get this - it was first planted in 1880!! You’ve heard of ‘old vines’ right? Well, consider these ‘ancient’ then. This beauty comes from the oldest block within, and it’s essentially a field blend of 75% Zin along with Petite Sirah, Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Negrette, Syrah, Valdiguie, Malvasia, Hamburg Muscat, Grand Noir de la Calmette, and the kitchen sink!
Packed with complexity, depth, and character! It pumps out mouthfuls of sweet, brambly fruit, with plums, violets, black licorice, and black cherries for days. Gentle, dusty tannins. A terrific vintage like 2019. Our price!? What’s there not to like?
If you’ve been waiting for a great Zin, this is the one.
93 Points – Tastings.com
“Medium violet color. Aromas and flavors of blueberry juice, fresh strawberries, black cherries, violets, cherry blossom, vanilla cake, and raspberry liqueur with a silky, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, complex, long finish manifesting notes of blackberry tea, mixed peppercorns, allspice liqueur, ramps, and strawberry gummies with fine, chewy, well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. A classic bright and crisp Zinfandel.”
What the Winery Says
2019 Morisoli Vineyard Rutherford Zinfandel
- Winemaker
- Jake Coursen
- Varietals
- 75% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah and 8 others including 3 white ones
- Vintage
- 2019
- Alcohol
- 14.9%
- Appellation
- Rutherford, Napa Valley
- Vineyard
- Morisoli Vineyard
- Maceration & fermentation
- 12 days with native yeast
- Brix at harvest
- 25°
- Total acidity
- 6.63 g/L
- pH
- 3.59
- Aging
- 10 months
- Barrels
- 20% new American oak