D-Cubed Cellars 2009 Howell Mountain Zinfandel
D-Cubed Cellars
Region: Napa Valley, CA
With a case (12 bottle) order, receive all bottles signed by the winemaker.
Duane Dappen, owner and winemaker for D-Cubed Cellars, has a real passion for Zinfandel. This passion dates back to his childhood, where he recalls watching his parents enjoy Zinfandel. He's not trying to make "trophy wines", but rather a really good, approachable wine one can open with friends and enjoy with a meal.
The 2009 Zinfandel opens with vibrant aromas of cherry pie followed by cinnamon spice and herbs. The palate indulges flavors of blackberry and currants along with dried sage and pepper. With its long finish and prominent acidity, this wine begs for food.
-
Grapes96% Zinfandel; 4% Petite Sirah
-
RegionHowell Mountain, Napa Valley, CA
-
Production243 cases
-
Alcohol
-
AgeabilityDrink now through 2018
D-Cubed Cellars is a one-man-show, where Duane Dappen wears many hats. His passion for Zinfandel drives him to make wine that is approachable and food friendly. Part of making great wine is the location the grapes are grown. In this case, the 2009 Howell Mountain Zinfandel is made predominantly from high elevation fruit of the Black Sears Vineyard. While Ridge Vineyards was the first to source from this once dilapidated vineyard, it was Turley Vineyards and D-Cubed who brought acclaim to its grapes. The altitude and unique soils of Howell Mountain help to create intense and complex wines. This elegant and graceful wine successfully showcases the terroir from which it was born.
From the ground up, soil can have as much of an effect on the variety and intensity of grapes as the weather. This is clearly evident on Howell Mountain, where there are two main soil types. The first consists of decomposed volcanic ash, called “tufa”, and the second is red clay that is high in iron. Because both soil types are nutrient poor, they stress the vines, producing intense wines from small clusters and berries. In the end, the altitude, and thin, rocky, dry soil conditions create wines with firm structure, incredible varietal intensity, and excellent aging properties.
Duane Dappen also sits on the board of ZAP - Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history.
Meet Duane Dappen in person this month at Experience Zinfandel, a tasting dedicated to the celebration of this great American heritage grape.
- Time in oak: 15 months French and American
- Bottling: January 2011
- Fining: No fining