BACA Zinfandel Cat's Cradle Rockpile
The color is ruby-purple. The aromas are powerful with cblackberry, boysenberry, black cherry, and ripe raspberry, layered with violet, cracked pepper, licorice, and savory herbs. The palate has notes of brambly berries, plum, cocoa, baking spice, and mineral earth. BACA Wines specializes in Zinfandel and is part of the HALL family of wineries, founded by Kathryn and Craig Hall. BACA approaches Zinfandel through individual vineyard sites across California, using the grape as a vehicle for exploring how dramatically terroir can change its personality.
Grape Varietal: Zinfandel
Feature: Sustainable, Organic
Country: United States
Region: California
Appellation: Rockpile
Grape Profile: Zinfandel is one of California's heritage grapes, producing wines ranging from bright and peppery to enormously rich and powerful. Typical characteristics include raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, plum, black cherry, pepper, licorice, and baking spice. Because the grape ripens unevenly and accumulates sugar readily.
Region Profile: Rockpile is a tiny, rugged AVA in northern Sonoma County overlooking Lake Sonoma. Vineyards generally sit above the fog line at elevations reaching roughly 2,000 feet, exposing the vines to intense sunlight and persistent winds. The appellation's steep slopes and thin, rocky, well-drained soils naturally restrict vine vigor and yields, producing small, concentrated berries.
Pair with: Grilled meats like barbecue and lamb. Charcuterie and sausages. Rich tomato-based dishes like pasta and pizza. Roasted poultry like duck and chicken. Aged cheeses like cheddar and gouda.
