2021 Estate Zinfandel

• Varieties:
  100% Zinfandel
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles -Templeton Gap
• Average brix at harvest:
  25.9
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  14.8%
• Acidity:
  0.68g/100ml
• pH:
  3.66
• Residual sugar:
  0.05 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  September 28, 2023
• Cases produced:
  243
• Retail Price:
  $ 30.00

Growing conditions:
Another drought year with 90% of our total rainfall occurring during the last week of January. An unusual frost in late May resulted in a smaller fruit set. The lighter crop coupled with a long warm summer led to the earliest finish to harvest at Victor Hugo ever, with a smaller harvest with excellent quality.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested and crushed into a stainless fermentor, then inoculated 24 hours later with D80 yeast. The must was pumped over twice daily for 18 days prior to pressing. After completion of malolactic fermentation, this wine was aged in Hungarian & American oak barrels for 20 months prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Intense, explosive aromas of red raspberries,with notes of blackberry and bittersweet chocolate. Elegant tannins with vibrant berry flavors complimented by hints of oak and a racy, crisp finish.

Cellaring:
While delightful now, this concentrated Zinfandel will continue to develop in the bottle with proper cellaring for another 4-6 years with a plateau of best drinkability from 2026-2030.

Food selection:
We believe this Zinfandel enhances any number of meals with rich sauces (especially red). It continues to be our favorite red wine with seafood and chicken dishes.