2006 Titus Napa Valley Zinfandel |
 Vintage The 2006 growing season got off to a late start with a cool spring and late rains. An intense heat spike in July resulted in temporary concern that it might harm the grapes, or shut down the vines, during this critical ripening period. Thankfully, August brought cooler weather that stayed with us up until harvest. Overall, the ripening season was long and steady. Waiting somewhat patiently for the grapes to come into perfect maturity and full ripeness, 2006 proved to be a grower’s season in St. Helena because of the extended, evening ripening of each grape variety in our valley floor vineyards. All the fruit was harvested in alignment with our predictions avoiding everything coming in at once. Interestingly, harvest at Titus Vineyards began ten days later than we would typically end. The lengthy 2006 growing season gifted these wines with lively aromatics, well balanced flavor profiles with beautiful concentration, and solid structure that will benefit the wines long term. Vineyard Titus Vineyards Napa Valley Zinfandel is produced from grapes grown in our family vineyard on Silverado Trail just north of St. Helena. The 30+ year-old vines are planted on St. George rootstock and grown without irrigation or “dry-farmed”. This old-world winegrowing practice produces low yields of concentrated fruit. Vinification Following harvest, the grapes were de-stemmed but not crushed, allowing increased control over tannin extraction by minimizing the possibility of broken skins and split seeds. Following a 48-hour cold soak to extract color and flavor, the grapes underwent a warm fermentation, with pump-overs occurring twice daily, and were pressed shortly after dryness was achieved. The free-run wine was transferred to 20% new and 80% two year old American oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic fermentation. Petite Sirah was fermented and barrel aged separately, and blended into the Zinfandel prior to bottling. Wine Profile Aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, and fresh black and white pepper are wrapped in dark baking chocolate and spices on the nose and translate through to the palate. A solid tannin structure integrates throughout but does not overpower this nearly full bodied dark and brooding Zin. With generous complexity and red fruit concentration the long finish is enhanced by barrel spice, vanilla and coconut notes imparted by the American Oak used to age this wine. Recommended drinking time is three to five years from vintage with a maximum suggested aging time of eight to ten years from vintage. We also recommend decanting this wine for about an hour prior to drinking. Detailed Wine Information Vineyard Manager: Eric Titus Wine Maker: Phillip Titus Appellation: Napa Valley Blend: 86% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah Harvest Date: October 19, 2006 Barrel Aging: 16 months - 100% American Oak (20% new barrels) Bottled: February 2008 Cases Produced: 1,835 Alcohol: 15% Total Acidity: .55 g/100ml pH: 3.85 Release Date: May 2008
Press & Praise93 Points & Editors' Choice - Wine Enthusiast (Mar. 2009) A beautiful Zinfandel, softly tannic and lush, and showing how Napa Valley dominates the variety when it comes to balance and elegance. The ultra-refined tannins frame flavors of berry jam, currants, mocha, licorice and pepper. This is really a superior Zinfandel. — S.H. |
