1997 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 1997 Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard may be the finest offering produced under this designation. It tips the scales at over 16% alcohol, but the alcohol is remarkably concealed by the wine's extraordinary wealth of fruit, extract, and layered richness. The dark ruby/purple/garnet color was no doubt intensified by the 3-5 day cold soak the Martinellis and winemaker Helen Turley give this wine. The nose offers up a plethora of celestial aromas, including plum liqueur, kirsch, spice box, coffee, prunes, and jammy cherries. As the wine sits in the glass, spicy oak, pepper, allspice and clove scents emerge. Full-bodied, rich, and mouth-filling, this velvety-textured, voluptuous, hedonistic Zinfandel can be drunk now as well as over the next decade. Along with several Zinfandels from Turley Cellars, this wine represents California's most profound expression of this varietal. Quantities are limited, but this wine demonstrates what can be achieved when terrific wine-making is combined with old vines, low yields, and very ripe fruit. Readers will be happy to know that in 1998, the Martinellis will have another spectacular Zinfandel to offer from a tightly-spaced vineyard that was planted with budwood from the Jackass Hill Vineyard. It will be called the Luisa and Giuseppe Vineyard Zinfandel. Tel. (707) 525-0570
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.