2022 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Hill Vineyard

A transparent deep ruby red color, the 2022 Zinfandel Jackass Hill is a refined wine, with serious aromas that continuously evolve in the glass, layered with elegant notes of sandalwood, menthol, red-berried liqueur, cherries, dried apricot, polished leather, and forest floor. Medium-bodied, it brings tremendous purity and concentration, with ripe tannins, mouthwatering freshness, and an incredibly long palate. It’s got real underlying structure that lasts for ages on the palate, with notes of wet stone and rich mineral persistence. It’s a joyful wine, and it’s only going to improve if given a chance in the cellar. Drink it over the next 15 or more years. This is built for the long haul. One of the most historic names in Sonoma, the Martinellis are sixth-generation winegrowers based in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Prolific farmers, all of their wines come from estate-grown fruit, with 90% of the grapes sold off to other wineries. In addition to focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they also produce Zinfandel, Syrah, and Muscat of Alexandria. Courtney Robinett Wagoner joined the team in 2015 as the assistant winemaker before being promoted to winemaker in 2017.

The 2022 Zinfandel Jackass Hill is the darkest and richest of the five Zinfandels I tasted. Black fruit, leather, cedar, spice, menthol and tobacco fill out the layers. Explosive and full-throttle, the Jackass Hill is a real head-turner. A few years in bottle should help. The aromatics really explode on the finish. (AG)