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2011 Kenwood Reserveproduct-timed-pdf - Sonoma County, California

Why We're Drinking It

Sold out at the winery, and only produced in the best years, this Reserve Zin is packed with jammy, juicy ripe fruit and exemplifies the massive, bold yet somehow still wonderfully balanced style that defines the best Zins from Sonoma County.

Kenwood is pretty much a household name, especially when it comes to Zin, and this historic Sonoma winery deserves much of the credit for the popularity of quality Zinfandel today. While many of Kenwood’s releases can hardly be considered small production or boutique, their Reserve Zin is made in quite limited amounts and only in those vintages that warrant it. The 2011 vintage was spectacular for Zin, as evidenced in this broad-shouldered, super juicy red. Spicy, with a judicious note of herbs and floral aromatics, the 2011 Reserve was aged over 20 long months in a combination of French (62%) and American (38%) oak and includes a small amount of for added grip. The wine is drinking at its absolute peak right now and makes a delectable match for slow-cooked red meats, barbecued pork ribs or pasta tossed in a red sauce.

Reasons why we love it:

Kenwood’s roots stretch all the way back to 1906, when Pagani Brothers Winery opened up shop in what is today Kenwood’s home. Since 1970 Kenwood has turned out vintage after vintage of great wines released always at reasonable prices.

For this Reserve Zinfandel winemaker Pat Henderson selected one barrel at a time (including the addition of 3% Syrah) from the best lots of Kenwood’s 2011 harvest. The source fruit came from three premier appellations for high-quality Zin: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Lake County’s High Valley AVA. While the rains that hit during the 2011 harvest had a seriously negative effect on tough-to- ripen varieties like , the Zinfandel grape did beautifully all over Sonoma County in 2011, showing ideal levels of ripeness and lots of plush, silky red fruit.

Tasting Notes

VARIETAL Fruity aromas of raspberry and fig combine with subtle notes of vanilla and Zinfandel white pepper. Delicate well-structured tannins provide an elegant mouth feel ALCOHOL and a long finish. 14.50 SIZE 750ml BLEND Zinfandel

The Story to Know

Ideally located in Sonoma Valley, Kenwood® - from its very first vintage - has been committed to producing premium wines that reflect Sonoma County's finest vineyards in their character and style.

Kenwood Vineyards was founded in 1970 when wine enthusiasts from the San Francisco Bay Area refurbished and modernized the former Pagani Brothers Winery, originally established in 1906. The winery produces classic varietal wines: , , , Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon and has earned the reputation of producing consistent, quality wines.

Kenwood Vineyards sits on a beautiful, twenty-two acre-producing estate. The winery also produces wines from fruit sourced from some of Sonoma County’s best vineyards. Using the “Cuvèe” winemaking method, the harvest from each is handled separately to preserve its individuality and true character. Such “small lot” winemaking allows our winemaker to bring each lot of wine to its fullest potential.

True to history, the winery is housed in the original winery buildings. Inside, the winery has been redesigned with winemaking versatility in mind. More than 125 stainless steel fermenting and upright oak tanks are used in combination with 14,000 French and American Oak barrels, giving the winemaker ?exibility and diversity in production.

With hard work and dedication to quality, over the past forty years, this winery has earned a reputation for crafting wines that offer consistent high quality and outstanding value.

Perfect Pairings

The wine is drinking at its absolute peak right now and makes a delectable match for slow-cooked red meats, barbecued pork ribs or pasta tossed in a red sauce.