Laura Michael Two Vintage Zinfandel from Napa Valley

Tasting notes & discussion 23

24 HOUR SALE
Packages have been upgraded to 2-day transit for increased protection.
Typically $48/bottle from Laura Michael Wines
Vintage 2018 & 2019 from Calistoga, Napa Valley
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KS; KY; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Laura Michael Wines: “Laura and Michael Swanton know the many challenges of establishing a boutique winery dedicated to crafting small quantities of fine wine in the Napa Valley. They have experienced them all in their demanding, yet delicious, journey from fledging winery to award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel producers.”

Up on Oat Hill

TASTING NOTES:
2018 - “This vintage is a bit different than previous vintages. In order to make our new blend, we separated the Petite Sirah and the Touriga Nacionale from the main Zinfandel fruit to make a truly pure Zinfandel. This wine is nicely balanced with moderate tannins, and our classic estate structure. An intriguing nose a touch of caramel and cherry.“ (AbV 15.2%)

2019 - “Our estate zinfandel almost always gives us sweet caramel on the nose with a bit of spice. A bit lighter than most zinfandels, the bright, fruity finish will pair well with grilled foods.” (AbV 15.9%)

VARIETALS: Zinfandel.

BARRELS: 2018 spent 30 months in barrel.

PAIRS WITH: Grilled foods.

THAT REMINDS ME OF: Oats!

The oat, Avena sativa, has been around for a long, long time. Like, probably since 7.4 million years ago. They’ve been a part of human life specifically for quite a while as well, but perhaps not how you would expect.

See, oats weren’t originally of much interest. In fact, they were probably considered weeds among the wheat that would be domesticated. Oats instead were likely a secondary crop that came into cultivation by humans when it just so happened to start looking a little bit more like wheat. This process is called Vavilovian mimicry! A plant considered a weed evolves to share more characteristics with something more desirable.

This occurs in part due to harvest practices by humans. You see something that looks like a weed? You get rid of it! Leaving behind the ones that look less like a weed. Just so happened that also, hey, oats are actually pretty good for food too.

Laura Michael Two Vintage Zinfandel from Napa Valley

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