93 points, Wine Spectator
93 points, Owen Bargreen
This wine is truly a feast for the senses. On the palate, it boasts a complex array of flavors, including earthy and spicy notes, black cherry fruit flavors, and savory notes that hint at a slightly salty or umami-like quality. The toasty characteristics from the French oak, add further depth and complexity to its flavor profile. On entry, the wine bursts with generous fruit flavors, inviting the palate to indulge in its bold and fruit-forward character. It has textural lingering tannins on the mid-palate that contribute to its overall mouthfeel and structure. Tightly woven tannins on the finish create a long and satisfying experience that lingers in the memory.
Rockpile’s robust structure and fruitiness offer a versatile pairing experience. Pair with barbecued meats, your favorite pasta dish, or even an aged gouda.
The Zinfandel vines planted along the mountain ridgetops of the Rockpile AVA struggle to thrive in the shallow, iron-rich, red rocky soils of the region. These vines produce low yields of small, highly-concentrated grapes that make rich, muscular, and mineral-driven wines. Rockpile Zinfandel is highly-sought-after both for its intensity and its scarcity.
