2008 Hartford Zinfandel Hartford Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Tasting Notes
The 2008 Hartford Vineyard’s low-yielding vines produce elegant Zinfandel characterized by a silky texture. Black cherry,
blackberry, nutmeg and anise aromas are complemented by cherry cordial and blackberry flavors. The fine grained tannin
and pure fruit flavors contribute to an opulent texture of this wonderful Zinfandel.
Historical Acclaim
2007 Vintage: 93 Points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2007 Vintage: 92 Points The Wine Advocate
2007 Vintage: 91 Points The Wine Spectator
2006 Vintage: 90 Points Wine Advocate
2005 Vintage: 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2004 Vintage: 91 points The Wine Advocate
2003 Vintage: 91 points The Wine Advocate
2001 Vintage: 95 points The Wine Advocate
2000 Vintage: 94 points The Wine Advocate
1999 Vintage: 90 points The Wine Advocate
1997 Vintage: 92 points The Wine Spectator
1996 Vintage: 96 points Anthony Dias Blue
1995 Vintage: 90 points Wine Spectator
1994 Vintage: 94 points Wine Enthusiast
Vineyard Character
Don Hartford tends this 93-year old vineyard located on approximately seven acres along Wood Road in the Russian River AVA
of Sonoma County. The vineyard is head-pruned and produces low annual yields of roughly 1.5 tons an acre. Some vines
produce only a few clusters of intensely flavored grapes a year. The signature of this unique terroir is a sweet blackberry aroma and a supple texture.
Wood Road has well-drained, low fertility, sandy loam soils over deeper layers of compacted sandy loam. Because the Italian
immigrants who planted the Wood Road Vineyard in the early 1900s wanted to ensure long vine life and moisture for their
dry-farmed vines, they placed a blasting cap where each vine was to be planted and blasted through the compacted layer. Today
we continue to enjoy the fruits of their ingenuity and celebrate the legacy of ‘dynamite’ Zinfandels. The Hartford Vineyard has
also been farmed using organic and bio-dynamic techniques since 2004.
Wine Details
Oak: 100% French oak; 50% new
Time in oak: 10 months
Alcohol: 17.0%
TA: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.77
Cases: 225
No fining or filtration Wine Information Sheet PDF
Tasting Notes