SPECIAL PRE-RELEASE
IN-HOUSE FIRST WEEK OF MAY
RESERVE YOURS NOW
GAMBA 2005 MORATTO VINEYARD ZINFANDEL RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
$489/case
A Special Vineyard Designate From Gus Gamba
Please take special note of this one; it definitely falls into the “WOW wine” category. Having marketed his wine since the first release, Gus takes good care of us with regard to allocations; however, it is a very limited release.
You should be aware that last year’s 2004 Gamba Moratto (93 Pts Parker) sold out in a couple of months. Do not hesitate on this wine. We will have the wine at the beginning of May, and start shipping thereafter.
The Moratto Vineyard – Russian River Valley
Just north of the Gamba Estate is the Moratto Vineyard. Owned and tended by Robert Moratto, these 87 year-old grapes have been organically dry-farmed since their beginnings and grown on gently sloping hillsides.
Moratto tasted a Gamba Zinfandel some years back, and it immediately became his favorite Zin. He knew that Gus needed to see his vines: Gamba was the only one that could articulate in the glass what Moratto was trying to express in his vineyard.
For years, Moratto tried to convince Gamba to buy his grapes to no avail. Finally, in 2003, Moratto went to Gus and told him that several quite well known winemakers, who must remain nameless wanted his grapes (think wineries beginning with “R” & “C”, for starters.) Gus asked him, “Why didn’t you just sell the grapes to them?” Moratto replied, “Because I was waiting for you.” The rest is Zin-history.
The Wine
On the “flavor-per-ounce meter”, this one is off the charts. The key to this wine, and what sets Gamba Zins apart from most on the market, is the great acidity that exists even in these ultra ripe style Zinfandels. This is 87-year-old vine, dry farmed, Russian River Zinfandel at its very best. If you thought nothing could be more hedonistic and delicious than Gamba’s estate wine, think again…
Cherries, spice, blackberry, and hints of coffee meld with subtle tannins, toasty oak, and a caramel infused finish. The super ripe fruit is immense enough to hold up the well over 15% alcohol without being hot. The key once again is balance and acidity combined with gorgeously concentrated fruit. Pure hedonism in a glass! This was without a doubt THE highlight of the January ZAP tasting.
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