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What We Say 2006 Zinfandel, Tom Feeney Ranch
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Mission Codename: Tribute to Tom Feeney
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Acquire a small allocation of Sol Rouge’s newest Old Vine Zinfandel
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Sol Rouge Vineyard & Winery
Wine Subject: 2006 Zinfandel, Tom Feeney Ranch
Winemaker: Bryan Kane
Backgrounder:
Zinfandel is often aptly named California’s grape. Its history and lore and the wines that result are often the makings of legend. In this case, Sol Rouge winemaker selected the best old-vine grapes from a number of the Russian River’s best vineyards to pay tribute to grape growing and cultivating legacy of Tom Feeney. Many of these vineyards have been planted for nearly 100 years.
The Russian River Valley is ideally suited for red grape varietals. Its early morning fog and coastal breezes result in a cooler climate than the neighboring wine growing regions.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – This wine is dark purple with excellent clarity with edges that fade from garnet to pink. Slow thick legs creep down the glass when swirled.
Smell – Medium intensity and well integrated aromas of black cherry and blackberry with hints of black pepper and exotic spices on top of subtle mocha and oak components.
Feel – Smooth and full-bodied, but not overbearing making this wine both rich and elegant. Medium-firm tannins and bright acidity make this wine perfect for food pairing.
Taste – Flavors of both ripe and tart black cherry, cassis and plums that are tightly woven over subtle black and white pepper, earthly bramble-brush and oak components.
Finish – This Zinfandel finishes elegantly with lingering flavors of spice, fruit and toasted oak.
Conclusion – Winemaker Bryan Kane has a knack for producing wines of tremendous finesse and elegance and this Zinfandel is no exception. This wine’s extremely well integrated aromas and flavors of fruit, spice and oak over its solid and food friendly structure
Mission Report:
Agent White reporting in… Today I’d like to focus on winemaker Bryan Kane from Sol Rouge Vineyards and Winery. The young upstart winemaker has been making waves in the wine world since the inaugural release of his exceptional 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Several months back, I had the chance to sit down with Bryan and his love and passion for small hand-crafted wines is a fact that I was most impressed with. For Bryan, wine is life. His focus on sun and soil and growing, and in some cases acquiring, the best fruit is why his wines are powerful and yet show tremendous finesse and elegance. Bryan also has a passion for the rich history of winemaking and despite his relative youth is growing deep roots.
In today’s selection, Bryan pays tribute to Tom Feeney by producing an old vine Zinfandel from several vineyards from the Tom Feeney Ranch in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. These vineyards are made famous by some of the best Zinfandels ever produced, namely under the DeLoach label and specifically the single vineyard gems from the Barbieri and Papera vineyards.
Tom Feeney Ranch after winter pruning
These vineyards date back to the 1920s and in 1999 the property was purchased by Tom Feeney by his neighbor Benardo Montafi whose father tended these exceptional grapes.
In tasting this wine, you are tasting a little bit of history. That history, mixed with Bryan’s desire for producing exceptional wine makes Sol Rouge stand out.
Raise a glass in tribute… Cheers!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the approximate location of the vineyards for this wine can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Sol Rouge
Awards and Accolades:
93 Points – Wine X Magazine
Winemaker’s Notes:
Our 2006 Zinfandel, under the Tom Feeney name (see vineyard details below), is a blend of various vineyards that is our tribute to the Tom Feeney legacy. It is a classic Zinfandel, exhibiting aromas of dark cherry notes in the nose, integrated spice of black and white pepper, and a long finish of earth and toast.
The Vineyards:
Tom Feeney Ranch contains the most sought after old-vine Zinfandel in all of California. We were very fortunate to be able to secure grapes from several of the vineyards from this famed ranch. We bottled a blend of the various vineyards which we are releasing under the Tom Feeney Ranch name, but we kept aside a small amount of three of the most unique vineyards from this ranch, the Papera, the Barbieri, and the Piner, for our Club members.
Zinfandel enthusiasts may recall the Barbieri and Papera vineyards, two of the top single vineyard Zinfandel’s from the old DeLoach label, both planted in the 1930s. Tom purchased these Zinfandel vineyards from De Loach in the late 90’s, adding to his old vine estate which contain the Piner, River and Montavi vineyards.
About Sol Rouge
Sol Rouge is a family estate located in the Red Hills Appellation at elevations averaging over 1800 feet.
North of Napa in the foothills of a dormant volcano which formed the North Coast wine country, this land contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rouge derived its name – translating to “Red Soil” in French. This 70 acre estate is currently planted with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc and will soon be planted with Cinsault. Adjacent to two of Napa’s premier grape growers (Beckstoffer and Snider), this aggressive sight is all hillside with slopes up to 60% and is said to be the most tightly planted vineyard in the Red Hills, with almost 2200 vines per acre in some blocks.
Sol Rouge is focused on producing wines similar to that of the Rhone and Bordeaux regions of France. We currently partner with vineyards in California who produce these varietals with the distinct soil profiles similar to our terroir and those of France. Our “non-intervention” philosophy helps to bring the true flavor and characteristics of each vineyard through to our wines.
Our Story
It started with a passion; to produce the finest quality Rhone and Bordeaux varietal wines here in California. To produce the most complex wines, one must start with the highest quality fruit, and that is how Sol Rouge began.
“Sun” and “Soil” are two of the most important elements in making great wine. After searching throughout California for the best site to grow ultrapremium grapes, Bryan & Jill Kane found a unique 70 acre estate nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge outside the town of Kelseyville in the Red Hills Appellation of Lake County – an estate which we now call Sol Rouge.
Our Vineyard
Sol Rouge is a 70 acre estate at the northern edge of the Red Hills Appellation in Lake County. The property rests on the South West side of a dormant volcano (Mt. Konocti) that formed the North Coast Wine Country of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake over 10,000 years ago. It is an aggressive site planted entirely on a hillside with an average slope of 35% and slopes of almost 60% in the terraced blocks.
Technical Analysis:
Varietals: 100% Zinfandel
Alcohol: 14.7%
pH: 3.75
TA: 0.74
Cooperage: 100% French Oak Barrels, 25% New
