Wine Last Sold on: March 15, 2013
Maroon Wines
Featured Wine:
2009 Old Vine Reserve Zinfandel
| Varietal: | Zinfandel |
| Region: | California: Napa Valley |
| Avg. Price: | $60.00 |
| Wine Spies: | $30.99 |
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SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:
We only showcase wines that we love. While our emphasis is on quality first, every now and again we come across a real standout wine that rises above. When we do, we issue alerts like this one.
SUPER QPR ALERT:
At today’s special Wine Spies price, this wine delivers tremendous value - and a drinking experience that exceeds expectations, easily earning it this special QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Alert.
Mission Codename: My beautiful Maroon
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Send Agent Red back to Maroon wines, in the Napa Valley, to secure an ample allocation of their fabled Old Vine Reserve Zinfandel.
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
- Winemaker
- Paul Maroon
Final Assessment
Classic Old Vine character is the order of the day with today’s elegant, supple 2009 Maroon Wines Old Vine Napa Valley Zinfandel.
We have really loved every wine that we’ve featured from Maroon and today’s wine reinforces our love for Paul and his wonderful works of liquid art. Big and bold on the nose, this wine is austere, elegant and refined on the palate.
Ready to drink now, you may also wish to cellar a couple of bottles for the next few years.
Tasting Profile
Pretty crimson hues with a ruby heart and pink edging that catches the light when swirled.
Bold and lush on the nose, with a heady rush of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate covered blueberry, briar patch and black pepper. After the wine opens, it reveals subtle black flower petals and a hint of fresh soil.
Initially, this wine tastes just like a fresh cherry pie and black current pie. Follow-on flavors include blackberry, bramble, tomato stem and a hint of dark dried tobacco.
Stewed fruit and tobacco expand all across the palate before gradually tailing off.
Perfect with a bleu cheese burger with bacon and all the trimmings.
What the Winery Says
PRODUCTION: 320 cases (50 cases of Magnums)
APPELLATION: 100% Napa Valley
BLEND: 100% Zinfandel
ANALYSIS: 14.5% Alcohol
The Wine
The vines are head trained and dry farmed. Low yields and bin fermentation produced a fruit forward, spicy, medium weight wine. Rich, distinct peppery blackberry and anise flavors combine with incredible balance. The wine was aged in Hungarian and American oak for 36 months.
The Story…
Planted in 1928, these Old Vine Zinfandel vines are recognized as some of the oldest in all of Napa. Its rich distinct peppery blackberry and anise flavors combined with incredible balance make these vines widely sought after.
Paul Maroon and winemaker Chris Corley had the pleasure to tour these vineyards back in 2009 and it was clear to them this plot of land was very special. Quiet turnover of California wine history happens all the time - so when old vineyards can be converted to more lucrative fare like Pinot Noir or Cabernet, the past is uprooted. Knowing this, the two jumped at the chance to craft wine from these scarce and celebrated vines.
The Bottom Line
Our 2009 Reserve ‘Old Vine” Zinfandel was harvested from vines planted in 1928, making them some of the oldest in all of Napa Valley!
About the Winery
PAUL MAROON Owner/Vintner became interested in winemaking over 40 years ago while as a young man helping his uncle make wine in Pennsylvania. In the back of his mind he always knew that for him Napa Valley was the place to be. Paul visited as often as possible throughout the years and finally in 2000 realized his dream and relocated to the Napa Valley. Here he began his life as a vintner and Paul has been growing grapes and making fine wines ever since.
KELLY DARTER General Manager, a sixth-generation Napa Valley native, is our General Manager. Kelly came to us with an extensive background in marketing, PR and customer service….not to mention an in depth knowledge of the Napa Valley. Her family dates back to the early 1800’s, so if you want to know something about Napa, ask Kelly. She and her husband John and son Cody, also a native Napan, enjoy travel, snowboarding and of course, fine wine and dining!
