Wine Last Sold on: November 1, 2012
Stephen & Walker
Featured Wine:
2011 Russian River Valley Zinfandel
| Varietal: | Zinfandel |
| Region: | California: Russian River Valley (Sonoma) |
| Allocation: | Very Limited |
| Avg. Price: | $39.00 |
| Wine Spies: | $29.00 |
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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.
Mission Codename: Well Earned
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Operatives have been clamoring for a bold, juicy Russian River Valley Zinfandel, worthy of their exacting tastes. In time for Thanksgiving shipping, send Agent Red to back our old friends at Stephen & Walker - to secure an ample cache of their finest Zinfandel
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
- Winemaker
- Nancy Walker
Final Assessment
Nancy Walker, we love you! We don’t know how you did it with this wine, but you’ve crafted a wine that drinks like it has the sort of maturity of a wine with more bottle age than today’s lovely wine possesses.
Just in time for Thanksgiving shipping, we are very pleased to welcome Stephen & Walker back to Wine Spies’ HQ with their fantastic 2011 Stephen & Walker Russian River Valley Zinfandel. Juicy, bright, complex and delicious, this approachable wine wine is an easy choice for your Thanksgiving table. Order, today, and we’ll get it to you in time for Thanksgiving. Of course, we’d recommend that you also keep some on hand for the rest of the Holidays. And next Summer’s BBQs. And beyond!
Tasting Profile
Crystalline burgundy edges darken to a deep garnet at the center of the wine. After swirling the wine, tall, chubby columns of wine-colored tears move slowly downward.
Sweet candied black cherry, wild strawberry, leather and sweet spice jump up to greet you on the nose. These are soon joined by berry bramble, dried violet, hard leather and black pepper.
Soft and light on the initial attack. Then, the wine becomes grippy, spreading a plush dryness from the front of the palate, rearward. A balanced acidity and plush tannins frame the fruit, driving flavors to the far corners of the palate. Eventually, the spreading dryness makes its way to the lips and cheeks.
Bright and juicy, with dark fruit and earthy goodness presenting in equal proportion. Black cherry, black currant and blackberry liquor mix with dried black flower petals, dark spice, black pepper, dark chocolate and subtle dried earth.
Very long, leading with dark fruit that gradually yields to spice, earth and black pepper. at the very end, the palate is left with a plush, dry feeling that spreads gradually to all corners of the mouth.
What the Winery Says
Our newly released Russian River Zinfandel comes from the Salzgeber Chan family vineyard that is tucked back in the hills west of Healdsburg next to the Mac Murray Ranch. The Zinfandel is in true Russian River style and has bright red berry fruits, good acid and firm structure.
Tasting Notes
There is a brilliant clarity of fruit, married with lovely butterscotch- and vanilla creme, followed by a delicate white pepper spice. The finish is long and smooth and inviting for another glass. The wine was aged in 100% new French oak for 9 months and has developed a lovely richness to compliment the red berry fruit from this region.
Wine Specs
Vintage: 2011
TA: 0.77
pH: 3.41
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 250 cases
About the Winery
We are a small, artisanal family owned winery located in the heart of the California wine country in Healdsburg, California. We have spent most of our lives in the vineyards and wineries of California, so it was a natural progression to start our own, winery in 2004. Our three partners: Nancy Walker, Tony Stephen and Irv Bush collectively have half a century growing wine grapes, and making fine wines.
We are proud and passionate to bring you wines made from the remarkable vineyards we tend with our growers in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Monterey Counties. Every bottle of wine we produce has our commitment and unique perspective, and that is to bring you the true flavors realized from the terroir. Based on our experience, we believe each wine is a specific, individual expression of the fruit from our vineyards and the craft of our winemaker.
We are excited to open the doors and welcome you to our new wine tasting room on the Plaza in Healdsburg. Come visit with us, taste our wines and savor the flavors of our Dry Creek Zinfandel, Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey Pinot Noir or Mendocino Port.
