A Rafanelli Zinfandel: A Great Wine from California's Dry Creek Area
Written: May 07 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Rich, Intense Jammy Strawberries and Blackberry in a Dry Red Wine
Cons: Nearly impossible to find without a trip to Sonoma County's Dry Creek area
The Bottom Line: A high-quality wine produced in limited quantity by family farmers, Rafanelli is probably the best example of Zinfandel in the Dry Creek area which is world famous for Zinfandel.
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| BillyBrack's Full Review: A Raffanelli Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 1997 |
Today (May 2003) 2001 Zinfandel is the current release. A. Rafanelli releases their Zinfandel in April when the wine is two years old. I’d be surprised to find the 1997 still on the market, but if you do the added age will just make it better. While Zinfandel is traditionally drunk within a year or so of bottling, A. Rafanelli Zinfandel is richer than most and will take bottle age.
A. Rafanelli markets their wine in a most unusual fashion. Demand far outstrips supply, but the Rafanellis would like to see their wines selling at reasonable prices. The best way to get their wine is to get on the mailing list. At the end of March they send out order forms to those on the list. You must fill out the form and send in your check within ten days. Your check will be cashed when you pickup the wine. If you don’t pickup your wine by July 1, your check is returned. This year the Zinfandel was $26 a bottle, and customers were limited to two cases. Shipping is available at an additional charge.
The wine is not sold in retail stores, but it is available at a few restaurants. They have a web site http://www.arafanelliwinery.com, but you must write a letter to get on the mailing list.
This policy is sure to disappoint people who buy wine in hopes that it will go up in price. The Rafanellis would much rather see their wines get out to people who will enjoy them than see the wines hoarded precisely because they are unavailable. Even though Rafanelli wines have a great reputation, I was pleased to find their wines available at local restaurants (in Healdsburg) at a reasonable markup. I have not seen the wines on the Internet at marked up prices.
The Dry Creek area is famous for Zinfandel, and Rafanelli is considered one of the best of the area. No white Zinfandel here! Rafanelli is deep in color with strawberry and jammy blackberry that characterizes Zinfandel at its best. Traditionally Zinfandel has been made with American oak, but Rafanelli uses toasted French oak for a touch of elegance. At 14% alcohol, it is intense but still a table wine. I find it perfect for a sandwich of dry Italian sausage and provolone cheese. The only problem is one bottle leads to another, and a picnic lunch can last well into late afternoon.
A Rafanelli also makes a Cabernet Sauvignon from their hillside vineyard. This wine is in even shorter supply.
If you come across either of these wines, try them. A Rafanelli wines are by no means inexpensive, but given the quality and very limited quantity, we are fortunate that prices have not become ridiculous.
Recommended:
Yes
Year: 2001
Winery Name: A Rafanelli
Varietal: Zinfandel
Designation: Dry Creek Area
State or Region: California
County or Appellation: Sonoma
Price: 26
Wine Rating Scale: A must - sensational
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Epinions.com ID:
BillyBrack
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Member: Billy Brackenridge
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 2 members
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