18 Nov Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Acorn Winery 2016 Heritage Vines Zinfandel, Alegria Vineyards, Russian River Valley

In the 1860s, Zinfandel was California’s most widely planted grape. It’s popularity led it to be called “California’s grape”. And on this #winewednesday, the third Wednesday of November, we celebrate Zinfandel with National Zinfandel Day! In honor of National Zinfandel Day, Please The Palate’s Wine of the Week is the Acorn Winery 2016 Heritage Vines Zinfandel, Alegria Vineyards, Russian River Valley. Acorn Winery is a family owned winery located in the Russian River Valley. Owners Betsy and Bill Nachbaur purchased the 32-acre Alegría Vineyards in 1990 and established Acorn Winery. The 32-acre property had eight-and-a-half acres planted to heritage grapes dating back to 1890. These eight acres were interplanted with multiple grape varieties with the idea to be harvested today to create field blend, a standard practice in the 1800s. The Heritage Vines Zinfandel is made from these 126-year old vines. The wine is a blend of 78% Zinfandel, 11% Alicante Bouschet, 9% Petite Sirah, and a 2% mix of Carignane, Trousseau, Sangiovese, Petit Bouschet, Negrette Plavac Mali, Syrah, Tannat, Muscat Noir, Peloursin, Cinsaut, Béclan, and Grenache. Zinfandel is a grape that tastes of terroir. The aromas and flavors are influenced by where the grapes are grown, the elevation and exposure of the vineyard, the soil and the climate. Zinfandel is a chameleon variety that can range from light and elegant to big, rich and fat. Russian River is a coastal climate which means that it is a characteristically cool climate. 2016 was a generally mild growing season. The Heritage Vines Zinfandel grapes were picked and fermented in small open-top fermenters with native and Rhone yeasts. The wine wine barrel aged sur lies for 14 months. The wine has inviting aromatics of black cherry, blackberry and raspberry, as well as sweet tobacco and black pepper. On the palate, tart cherry, blackberry and spice notes add to the juicy wine with smooth tannins. The balanced wine is medium-bodied with good acidity, great to pair with roasted lamb or a grilled hamburger. Celebrate California’s grape and enjoy a bottle of the Acorn Winery 2016 Heritage Vines Zinfandel, Alegria Vineyards, Russian River Valley which retails for $50.