2012 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa (503 cases; 17.3% alcohol) is made from the Jackass Hill clone of Zinfandel. This used to be the vineyard where the Martinellis made one of the two or three finest dry Gewurztraminers in Northern California. However, it’s planted with Zinfandel now, and we should be thankful for that. This deep plum/ruby-hued 2012 boasts fabulous fruit along with notes of jammy kirsch liqueur intertwined with licorice, sandalwood, Provençal herbs, pepper and that smoked meat/barbecue complexity. Full-bodied and unctuously textured, it should drink beautifully for 8-10 years, but will keep a lot longer since the alcohol will stabilize it for many years.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.