All wines
Martha Stoumen
Post Flirtation Red
2018
4.1
1250 UAHQPR 1.14Region
USA › California › Sonoma
Type
red · still
Grapes
Cariñena, Primitivo
Alcohol
12.3%
Volume
750 mL
Sugar
1 g/L
Tasting Notes
4.1
This wine has evolved nicely since the last tasting. It still offers an abundant mix of red fruits, earthy tones, leather, pencil lead, and spices, but has become more developed and less reductive. Juicy and easy to drink, it remains delicious and complex. The balance is nearly perfect, making it a great value.
4.0
This wine was on my wishlist for a long time. And it was up to expectations. An easy blend of Zinfandel and Carignan (a classical one, as they say). Red fruits mixed with earthy notes, leather, pencil lead and spices (like cloves). A bit of rubber. But juicy, easy to drink and overall delicious with a long and flavourful aftertaste.
About
A classical Californian blend of Zinfandel and Carignan. The former comes from Del Barba Vineyard, Contra Costa County. This dry-farmed vineyard was planted in 1960 and grown without pesticides and herbicides. Carignan comes from certified organic Ricetti Vineyard in Mendocino County. It was planted in 1948 and is also dry-farmed.
This wine is so joyous, and to me, distinctly Californian. I never knew how much I loved Zinfandel until I started working as Chris Brockway's (Broc Cellars) Assistant Winemaker. When picked before the grape berries begin to shrivel, you get these amazing hibiscus, rhubarb, pomegranate, and baking spices from Zin. Like an avocado, the window is small between unripe and overripe for Zin, and I watch this vineyard closely. Carignan, Zin's less celebrated companion, provides a savory component reminiscent of driving through California chaparral, and, like Ricetti's, can be incredibly complex with 70 years of vine age. I'm not re-inventing the wheel with this classic old vine Zin/Carignan blend, just lightening things up a bit.
