2005 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2005 Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard offers up a beautifully perfumed nose of violets, fragrant soil and rose hip tea over a core of preserved plums and blueberry compote plus wafts of hoisin and tobacco. It fills the mouth with super full, rich, wonderfully plush tannins and invigorating freshness, finishing with wonderful length and depth.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Ruby-red. Intensely floral on the nose, with bright raspberry and blueberry aromas supported by zesty minerality and complemented by fresh rose and lavender. Incredibly deep dark berry flavors are complemented by candied licorice and floral pastille tones. This is beyond rich and sweet but there's an almost eerie elegance about it. The vines here were planted in 1877. Turley says that the wild yeasts here will allow the wine to ferment to dryness with up to 18% alcohol (this one clocks in at 17.1%). "That's what 130-year-old yeast can do, I guess."
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.