Wine Last Sold on: February 1, 2013
Martin Family Vineyards
Featured Wine:
2009 Zinfandel
| Varietal: | Zinfandel |
| Region: | California: Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma) |
| Availability: | Final Allocation |
| Avg. Price: | $21.00 |
| Wine Spies: | $14.99 |
website
SUPER QPR ALERT:
At today’s special Wine Spies price, this wine delivers tremendous value - and a drinking experience that exceeds expectations, easily earning it this special QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Alert.
Mission Codename: My Favorite Martin
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Scour the Dry Creek Valley, in search of a budget-minded Zinfandel that drinks way above its price class, delivering exceptional value and a great drinking experience
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
Final Assessment
This wine really exceeded our expectations - and, boy did we ever have high expectations for this particular Zinfandel! We’ve had the good fortune to sample Martin Family wines in the past, and while we’ve always loved them, we were really really loved this 2009 Dry Creek Valley Zin.
This wine is very well balanced, very well made, and very delicious. At under $15, it is a very good value. Did we mention that we like it very much?
With lovely fruit and a very balanced feel, our tasting panel was surprised to find that despite the high alcohol, the wine does not smell or taste hot at all.
Pair this lovely Zin with tangy BBQ ribs, Mu Shu pork or a pepper crusted steak, fresh off the grill. Don’t miss out on this wonderful value priced, daily drinker!
Tasting Profile
Pretty and deep, with a brilliant dark ruby core. After giving the wine a good swirl, tall and skinny legs streak slowly down the glass wall.
Subtle and restrained with leading aromas of dark wild raspberry, strawberry, fresh violet, subtle anise, clove and fall leaves. As the wine opens up, black pepper and subtle cedar notes emerge.
Very fruit forward. Flavors of bing cherry, dark raspberry and dried violets instantly coat the palate. Secondary flavors follow with stewed red plum, sour cherry candy, and a hint of intriguing flint.
Medium to long with lingering fruit that provide the ultimate finish for this full bodied Zinfandel.
What the Winery Says
Tasting Notes
Concentrated raspberry and plum flavors in a rich, juicy texture and full mouth feel. Loaded with lots of up-front fruit with undertones of coffee and tobacco that lead to a big, ripe, supple finish.
Appellation
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, CA
Varietal
Zinfandel
Alcohol
15%
About the Winery
The Martin Family Vineyards and Winery is owned by a team of industry veterans with one mission, to prove that world-class wines can come from a biodynamic winery. With the reputation of the winemaker, commitment to the environment and top-quality wines, we were very curious about how good these would be.
Their winemaking philosophy is to use only fruit from extraordinary vineyards in order to produce extraordinary wines. The fruit for the wines is primarily from steep, rocky, hillside vineyards that produce superconcentrated, intense fruit flavors. In 1999 they began planting 20 acres of estate vineyards at their winery-ranch, specifically selecting steep, rocky, hillside or hilltop land to plant.
Through a unique relationship with local growers, Martin winery is allowed to section off small quality blocks of these remarkable vineyards. This allows them to custom farm, while keeping yields low. The fruit is harvested at the ideal ripeness with optimal brix, acids and fruit flavors. All of the fruit is handpicked during the cool morning hours to preserve the fresh-fruit characteristics.
Winemaker Ginny Lambrix was the past understudy of Greg LaFollete of Tamdem and Flowers winery, master of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Co-owner Phil Hurst is a graduate of the elite University of California-Davis, Viticulture and Enology program and brings his unique stamp to the winemaking process, loving big, bold flavors and wines full of character.
The special care the Ginny family gives to their vineyards and fruit are reflected in their wines. Their small-lot production and distinct hand-crafting enables them to produce special wines.
