Gamba-Cult Zinfandel Greatness!

Gamba 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel – Russian River Valley

$40 bottle/$480 a case

Easily our most requested zinfandel, this viscous, heady wine should be more in demand than ever, given its increasingly legendary status, and the fact that Robert Parker has finally "discovered" what we knew all long about Gamba.

The century-plus-old Gamba Vineyard is nestled alongside some of the most exceptional old vine Zinfandel vineyards in the Russian River Valley appellation. Some consider Gus Gamba a maverick for his almost fanatical vineyard management techniques: a labor-intensive, hand hoeing, dry farming, organic approach. The vineyard yields only ½ to 1 ton per acre, producing incredibly intense fruit.

This is serious Zin: powerful, but not muscular, the qualities some call "hedonistic" completely integrated with a smoothness and lush drinkability. The 2005 vintage is another striking example of what Gus coaxes out of his 106 year-old vines: jammy fruit, lavish oak, a rich texture, and a seamless presentation.

Tasting Notes: Gus Gamba himself describes the '05 as: "A little more solid, somewhat like a cross between the 2000 vintages' intense purity of fruit and spiciness and 2001's richness and stone fruit characteristics. That being said, it's still a left-of-center Zinfandel, when people drink it; they'll know its Gamba."

In any case, this is a complex Zin, full of finesse, and it serves as annual confirmation of Gus Gamba's status as a Zinfandel alchemist of the highest degree.

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Cheers,

Jon Kelvey

Russian River Wine Company
132 Plaza St.
Healdsburg CA, 95448
1-800-477-0490 Ext 16
Jonkelvey@gmail.com