graziano

From the rich, red earth
The Zinfandels of Mendocino's Redwood Valley owe everything to the unique rust-colored slopes that bear outstandingly bold fruit.

It makes perfect sense that some of California's most distinctive Zinfandels come from the Redwood Valley in southern Mendocino County. This is one of the state's most distinctive viticultural enclaves, with a combination of climate and soils — particularly its deposits of the rare, rust-colored Redvine soil — that rightly may be called unique. There's nothing else quite like it, anywhere.

Yet for many years these wonderful wines were only on the Zin fanatic's radar, virtually unknown in the mainstream. Redwood Valley was only recently recognized as an American Viticultural Area. It was the first place in Mendocino County to produce commercial wine grapes (in the 1850s), but it has never had more than a few wineries (eight at the moment). Even today, virtually all its crop (mostly Chardonnay) disappears into blends bottled by large North Coast wineries, so wine lovers seldom get a taste of the valley's outstanding viticultural character.

However, a staunch corps of Redwood Valley wineries have consistently bottled Zinfandels from the valley's red-dirt slopes. It was largely on the strength of those wines that Redwood Valley finally became an AVA in 1996.
Not a moment too soon. Because a characteristic Redwood Valley Zin is among the glories of California winedom, an archetypal expression of region and grape.

2004 ZINFANDEL - Mendocino
Our Zinfandel comes from ten different Zinfandel vineyards scattered throughout the benchlands and hillsides of Mendocino County. Many of these vineyards are still farmed by 3rd and 4th generation Italian-Americans. This vintage displays a rich dark purple garnet color and deep aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, spicy white pepper with hints of toasty oak. Uplifting flavors of ripe raspberry and earth combine to give this full-bodied Zinfandel a generous mouth feel. Rich full tannins and mouthwatering acidity dance across the palate into a long, lingering elegant finish.

Enjoy with garlic and rosemary seasoned lamb chops, Italian sausage, or spicy tomato pasta dishes. A grilled burger with melted gorgonzola in one hand and this Zin in the other hand is what the good life is all about.

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2003 ZINFANDEL - Robert Parker Vineyards
Organically Grown
n 1978, after a successful career in the aerospace industry in Southern California, Robert Parker & family came north to the Redwood Valley to begin a second career & life growing wine grapes. He planted his Zinfandel vineyard in 1979 and became organically certified in 1991. The vineyard is located on the western slopes of the Redwood Valley, where shallow, rocky clay soils and great exposure produce very intense, ripe grapes. This wine received 18 months of extended barrel aging in French oak, which softens and adds complexity to this Zinfandel. The wine displays classic Zin aromas and flavors of ripe raspberries, pepper, and sweet toasty oak. This is a full- bodied wine which exhibits excellent balance and fine structure – this wine is almost seamless from start to finish. This is an absolutely delicious wine. Superb with braised beef short ribs or grilled meats.

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2003 ZINFANDEL - Kazmet Vineyards
40-Year-Old-Vines
This 40-year old Zinfandel vineyard is farmed by Leila Kazimi and Neal Mettler on the western foothills of Redwood Valley in Mendocino County. Gravelly loam soils and the excellent exposure of this vineyard combine to consistently produce grapes that are intense and ripe. Eighteen months of barrel ageing in 30% new French and American oak has soften the wine and added complexity to the beautiful berry aromas and jammy flavors of blackberry, earth and spice. This wine has a deep purple color, smooth tannins and a peppery finish that is elegant and long lasting. mushrooms.

This wine makes an ideal accompaniment to barbecued chicken, roast beef, and grilled steak or lamb.

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2003 ZINFANDEL - Graziano Vineyards
Old-Vines, Organically Grown
The fruit for this wine comes from a vineyard farmed by Greg’s crazy cousin, Eddie Graziano. This vineyard is located on benchlands of the Capella District located north of Ukiah. The vines are 32 years old and are planted in white clay soil. This vineyard has been in the Graziano family since 1918 and was first planted to grapes by Greg and Eddie’s grandfather, Vincenzo Graziano. This wine displays elegant black cherry fruit, spice, smoky notes and an earthiness which all combine to give this full-bodied wine a wonderful complexity in both aroma and flavor. The finish is lengthy and harmonious with bright fruit and a light touch of toasty oak.

Enjoy with grilled steak, barbecued ribs, hearty, spicy pastas and flavorful cheeses like aged sharp cheddars, bleu and Stilton.

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2005 ZINFANDEL ROSÉ  
Our Zinfandel Rosé was produced from two old vine vineyards located on the benchlands in Redwood Valley. Produced by the saignee method, where Zinfandel juice is “bled off” before fermentation, then transferred into barrels and fermented to near dryness. This refreshing wine has lovely aromas and flavors of red delicious apples and watermelon. Sweet fruit flavors are nicely balanced by mouth-watering acidity.

Wonderful as an aperitif or pair it with anything “al fresco”.

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2004 PETITE SIRAH - Mendocino
Old-Vines
Our Petite Sirah comes from old vine vineyards scattered throughout the benchlands and hillsides of Mendocino County. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak for 18 months to soften and add complexity. On the palate this wine offers deep aromas and delicious flavors of ripe berries, chocolate and spice. It’s exceptional smoothness leads into a long, lingering finish.

Roasted meats such as lamb and beef or hearty pasta dishes bring out the true flavors of this wine.

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2006 SAUVIGNON BLANC - Mendocino
Sauvignon Blanc produces some of the greatest white wines of this planet. Its heritage lies in the vineyards of France's Sancerre, Pouilly (Loire Valley) and Graves (Bordeaux) and this greatness has now spread to the vineyards of Mendocino County.

Perfect accompaniment to grilled halibut, Dungeness crab, oysters on the half shell or many types of Asian cuisine.

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2006 CHENIN BLANC - Mendocino
Chenin Blanc produces some of the greatest white wines of France. In the loire region, the wines of Savennieres, Vouvray, and Saumur produce a wide range of styles of Chenin Blanc from sparkling, to sweet and everything in between.

Pairs well with seafood or pasta salad and grilled chicken.

Gold Medal Winner 2006 Mendocino Wine Competition

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2003 CORO - Mendocino
For the first time in U.S. history, a collaboration of 8 Mendocino vintners has set blending and aging parameters for wines distinctive to a region (ie. like the appellation controllee wines of Europe). Each winery created its individual blend based on the protocol and a panel of experts reviews it. Each winery personalizes the common label, which will be recognizable as Coro Mendocino, and bottles the wine in a uniform bottle.

This unique blend of old vine Zinfandel and three classic Italian grape varieties, Sangiovese, Barbera & Dolcetto, have come together to create a wine that has great structure and elegance. Aromas of violet, spices, and cedar weave through the vibrant raspberry fruit character, culminating in a harmonious finish laced with vanilla and toasty oak. The wine’s complexity and depth of flavor will continue to evolve with further bottle aging.

Visit CORO Mendocino Website

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GRAZIANO FAMILY OF WINES  •  707-744-8466