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Marietta Cellars

Angeli Zinfandel 2019

Alexander Valley, California

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Once a component of the Angeli Cuvée, this Zinfandel long stood out for its brilliance, clarity, and leanness. Now, showcased on its own, it speaks volumes about this unique little canyon off Alexander Valley known as Angeli Ranch. The halo-like image on the label pays homage to Viola Angeli, who sold the Angeli Ranch to Chris Bilbro in an angelic act that mirrors her name.

The estate series from Marietta is made with terroir in mind above all else. For many years these sites were included in blends, though they routinely stood out as extraordinary. These wines are true expressions of unique sites, crafted with freshness, tension and longevity in mind.

Vineyard

The Angeli Ranch was sold to Chris Bilbro in 1990 by Viola Angeli, whose family had originally settled the land in 1886. When Viola was ready to sell the property, she offered it to Chris Bibro because he had purchased the grapes from the ranch for many years and always visited with Viola regularly. 35 acres of vineyards connect gravel swales from the Russian River to terraced knolls invisible from the valley floor. The Angeli Zinfandel takes its name from the homesteading family and exemplifies the cool effect of these unique vineyards in a bright, tense, and stony expression of Zinfandel.

Winemaking

A unique approach of cool fermentations and 15 months of neutral barrel aging emphasize freshness in the Angeli Zinfandel.

Vintage

The 2019 Harvest brought another fantastic year of smooth weather with a slow paced, even growing season. Temperatures were a bit cooler than average, leading to picking a week or so later than typical norms. As per the recent Northern California pattern, fire showed up in late October adding to the stress of the season. However, grapes were picked by then and the only added excitement was power outages and evacuations. Marietta is grateful that their employees and properties stayed safe in 2019 and that the wines show great depth, measured ripeness, and wonderful retained freshness.

Tasting Note

From the Angeli vineyard in the Alexander Valley, these vines are grown in a large gravel swale that was the former Russian River prior to streambed migration. Yielding notes of potpourri and raspberry with exotic undernotes of orange chocolate and roses, this is not your average Zinfandel. Spicy white pepper and mint add freshness and verve to the brambly, dried cranberry filled mouth. Both pleasurable and demanding, this screams to be enjoyed with food… the bright acid and focused mouthfeel balance out rich and savory fare such as duck or mushroom risotto.

Food Pairing

An excellent foil to charred scallions, leg of lamb, and rosemary-scented potatoes, or as a more sturdy accompaniment to a creamy chocolate dessert.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Zinfandel

Appellation

Alexander Valley, California

Farming

The Angeli Zinfandel 2019 is made from 100% estate fruit, all of which is organically farmed

Alcohol

14.8%

Suggested Retail Price

$44

Reviews

95

"Stellar price-to-quality ratio"

Wine Advocate - July 14, 2021 "The 2019 Angeli Zinfandel has a medium ruby color and elegant perfume of white peaches, white pepper, tea leaves, licorice and wild berries. The palate balances intense, ultra-perfumed fruit with loads of lift, and it finishes long and full of flavor. This is notable for its stellar price-to-quality ratio." -E.B.    

95

"Such a pretty zin"

James Suckling - July 20, 2021 "Such a pretty zin with blackberries, figs, flowers and some bark on the nose. Follows through to a medium body, with firm and fine tannins and a fresh, spicy finish that develops into a black-pepper undertone. Very balanced zin." - J.S.

91

"Impresses and Overdelivers"

Wine Enthusiast - July 6, 2022 "With Petite Sirah and Syrah, this red impresses and overdelivers on its price point, packing in tons of textured, supple flavor and juicy acidity. Full bodied, it brims in brambly blackberry, cherry and plum, with a lasting sweetness of vanilla and baking spice." -Virginie Boone 12/21

95

"Long and full of flavor"

Wine Advocate - July 15, 2022 "The 2019 Angeli Zinfandel has a medium ruby color and elegant perfume of white peaches, white pepper, tea leaves, licorice and wild berries. The palate balances intense, ultra-perfumed fruit with loads of lift, and it finishes long and full of flavor. This is notable for its stellar price-to-quality ratio." -E.B 7/22

Trade Materials

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Marietta Cellars Angeli Zinfandel Bottle Shot

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