2021 Stuhlmuller - Zinfandel Alexander Valley Estate (750ml)

The Stuhlmuller family has farmed in Alexander Valley since the early 1980s, supplying fruit to respected neighbors like Silver Oak and Simi before Fritz Stuhlmuller launched his own label in the mid 1990s. The 150 acre estate sits on land that traces back to Cyrus Alexander's original 19th century ranch, on the valley's southwestern edge near the Russian River. Winemaker Zac Childers now oversees the program, working alongside vineyard manager John Gorman under a certified sustainable farming plan that shapes every block on the property.

Two special blocks are set aside for Zinfandel, head pruned to intensify the hillside fruit and planted with budwood from the storied 120 year old Teldeschi clone out of Dry Creek Valley. For 2021, the Zinfandel was co-fermented with Petite Sirah as whole berries in open top stainless steel tanks through a seventeen day maceration, then pressed in a traditional manual basket press and aged in a mix of French and American oak, a fifth of it new.

The wine shows black raspberry, blood orange, and rose up front, with cardamom and white pepper adding lift. A rich, velvety texture carries dark berry and Asian plum flavors, finishing with sweet tobacco leaf and spice. Pour it with grilled venison chops, aged Asiago, or a warm plate of paella.