Gagnon Kennedy - Monte Rosso Old Vine Zinfandel 2022
Price: $84.96
| Producer | Gagnon Kennedy |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Varietal | Zinfandel |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 602883 |
| Size | 750ml |
In October 2015, Michael Kennedy, then Wine Director and Sommelier at Blue by Eric Ripert in The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, visited Napa Valley and spent an afternoon at Bryant Family Vineyard on Pritchard Hill with winemaker Marc Gagnon. Their shared interests sparked a quick friendship. A few months later, Kennedy hosted Gagnon and Bryant Family Vineyard at the Cayman Cookout. By 2018, after Gagnon left Bryant Estate, the two began discussing potential collaborations, realizing something remarkable was on the horizon. The goal is simply to explore the vineyards that stood out as the best to the earliest settlers of Napa Valley, to express them uniquely and purely, and to provide an experience in the valley unlike any other. The Monte Rosso Vineyard, located in Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District is such a vineyard.
Established in the 1880s by Emmanuel Goldstein and Benjamin Dreyfus. Originally named Mount Pisgah, the vineyard's first vines were planted in 1886, including Zinfandel and Semillon, which still produce fruit today. It is said that the roots run up to 40 feet deep! Napa Valley’s Mt. Veeder is on the opposite of the Mayacamas range. The vineyard, known for its high-acidity wines due to volcanic soils and elevation, was sold to Louis M. Martini in 1938, who introduced Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard remained with the Martini family until 2002 when it was acquired by E. & J. Gallo Winery. Today, Monte Rosso is planted with 10 varieties, including its historic Zinfandel, Semillon, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This Zinfandel is bright enough to pair with grilled salmon or chicken, things that might better be suited for Pinot Noir.
Gagnon Kennedy Description
Shy at first, this wine opens up with elevated notes of spearmint, ginger, and white tea flower on the nose. The 60% whole cluster appears to educate the overt fruitiness provided by the very warm 2022 vintage. In this 5 barrel production, we are able to access clear varietal character from the 3 neutral barrels, while the new Ermitage wood provides spice and chocolate and the Sylvain wood carries sweetness across the mid-palate. ~Marc Gagnon, Winemaker
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