2018 Gamba ‘Messana Vineyard’ Zinfandel Fountain Grove District

JD93 Coming from the Fontaingrove District of Sonoma County, the 2018 Zinfandel Messana Vineyard is another classy Zinfandel from this estate. Sweet plums, blueberries, white pepper, candied violets, orange blossom, and spice all emerge from the glass, and this ripe, soft, sexy 2018 has a wealth of sweet fruit yet still stays lively and balanced. Drink it over the coming 4-6+ years.
Estate Notes: The 2018 Gamba Messana Zinfandel exhibits a brilliant, deep ruby color with purple hues. The aroma offers dark Amerena cherry compote, brown spices and hints of sandlewood. The wine is medium to full in body, with a mouth-filling fruit profile,
offering rich layers of dark berry fruits, spiced fruit cake, and notes of mocha. This bold wine offers a pleasant, soft leathery texture and lifting acidity on the palate. The wine feels polished and retains a creaminess, as the generous fruit and spicy notes fan over the palate. This is a unique Zinfandel that will complement an array of hearty family recipes. Everything from sausage and spiced apple stuffed pork chops to eggplant parmesan, to grilled beef ribs slathered in savory bbq sauce. The finish is round, intense, and lengthy. While enjoyable now, this special limited release wine will continue to evolve gracefully in the cellar for years to come. 

Culled from the historic Bastoni ranch in Sonoma County, our limited production Messana Vineyard Zinfandel from Gamba Vineyards and Winery is a special selection in our stable of limited offerings. The picturesque ranch is thoughtfully tended by Russell and Martha Messana. Martha’s grandparents, Pasquale and Maria Bastoni founded the original rolling vineyards on Riebli Road back in 1905.  Because of its ideal site, soils and micro-climate, the ranch has been sought after by wineries over the years for its exceptional fruit. Growing in the heart of the newly designated Fountain Grove AVA, straddling Napa and Sonoma, we jumped at the opportunity to work with this legendary fruit when this magical site became available to us. The very top of hill is the site on the ranch where you find our Messana Vineyard designate origins, a block that struggles for water in the ancient volcanic ash. It is planted to the famed St Peter’s Church clone, producing a Zinfandel of intense depth and unique varietal character.