Notes from the Winemaker:
From 4-H beginnings, to an enology degree at UC Davis, and after stints
at
Grgich Hills, Storybook Mountain,
Rombauer, and Frank Family Vineyards, Duane David Dappen ("d"
cubed!) launched his own Napa Valley label with grapes from the now
esteemed
Black Sears Vineyard.
An unabashed zinfandel lover, he left Frank Family officially in 2002 to
devote the majority of his time to this project.
Duane also consults for Howell Mountain's
Bravante Vineyard and Chiles Valley's Brown Estate.2007 is a wonderful year here in the Napa Valley. Napa Valley had a long cool summer with just a little heat at the end to ripen Zinfandel grapes with great intensity and excellent acid balance. The D-cubed Cellars 2007 Napa Zinfandel is classic in the greatest sense of the word. This vintage is produced from 4 vineyards, all in the Napa Valley. Brown Estate in Chiles Valley, Korte Ranch in St. Helena, Cypress Ranch in Pope Valley and Slaybaugh Ranch in Howell Mountain.
The 2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel has blackberry and cherry fruit with hits of nutmeg black pepper and cigar box. This medium bodied zinfandel has wonderful balance of acid, tannins and alcohol and flavors of berries, spice and Herbs de Provence. This Zinfandel is lovely now, but with a little more age it will really shine.
Viticulture:
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Content: 100% Zinfandel
Vineyard sources: Brown Vineyards 50.1%
Cypress Ranch 24.8%
Korte Ranch 14.7%
Slaybaugh Ranch 10.4
Winemaking:
Time in oak: 11 months
Bottling: September 2008
Fining: No fining
Alcohol: 14.7%
Aging potential: 5 to 7 years
Cases produced: 976 cases
Release date: June 1, 2010
Winemaker: Duane D. Dappen
Winery Owner: Duane D. Dappen
Ratings & Reviews
90 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"A lively, zesty Zinfandel, with wild berry and roasted sage aromas and supple, jammy raspberry, cinnamon and spice flavors. Drink now through 2015. 976 cases made." –TF
