Zero Manipulation 2019, Red Wine, Tollini Vineyard
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Easy to use, and cheap to operate is the light hearted motto for this serious red wine blend. Crafted exclusively from the sustainably farmed Tollini Vineyard old vines in Mendocino each year since the 2000 vintage. We strive to create a wine with all the delicious, quaffable nature of a bistro wine and still remain honestly reflective of its terroir. By forgoing manipulative winemaking practices and additives, we create a wine much more natural than the elusive Jackalope mascot.
- Blend:
- 79% Carignane
- 11% Petite Sirah
- 10% Syrah
Bottled 7/21/20
Wine Specs
Vintage
2019
Varietal
Red Blend
Appellation
Redwood Valley
Acid
6.4 g/L
pH
3.55
Aging
22 months in 100% neutral oak barrels
Bottling Date
7/21/2021
Alcohol %
15.8
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Its name belies the sophistication of this delicious Rhône
blend. The nose offers a medley of dark fruit and berries laced
with traces of earthy minerality and subtle oak notes. The light
entry quickly fills the palate with layers of rich, dark, juicy
flavors — black raspberry, mulberry, plum and cherry with
a sprinkling of cocoa powder. Hints of dried strawberry and
eucalyptus make a brief appearance toward the long finish,
adding interest and depth.
Vineyard Notes
The traditional head trained, dry farmed Carignane blocks
were planted by Alvin Tollini’s father and grandfather. The
Syrah and Grenache were planted by Alvin with the same
time-honored techniques and sustainable approach. All sit
on southwest facing benches in the Redwood Valley
Production Notes
Our Zero Manipulation is blended using 100% Tollini
Vineyard fruit, and is the first in our line of wines honoring
this great vineyard and farmer/friend to the north. We’ve
produced Zero every year since 2000 using old vine
Carignane as the dominant varietal, and in 2019 it makes
up 79% of the blend. From this core of spicy, zippy red
fruit flavors, we’ve added layers of depth, complexity and
balance with Petite Sirah and Syrah. Our goal in the blend
is to create a wine that is a true bistro wine—tasty, food
friendly, full of soul and almost refreshing, without ever
becoming heavy. As our original t-shirt proclaimed, this
wine is always “easy to use and cheap to operate.”
Winemaker Notes
Zero Manipulation is the winemaking philosophy that
we employ on all of our wines. Our definition of Zero
Manipulation is using the gentlest winemaking techniques
possible to maximize flavors, aromas and the original
essence of the grapes from the given vineyard and vintage.
The less you do in the course of a wine’s tenure in the cellar,
the more of the grape’s, vineyard’s, and vintage’s essence
you’ll have to bottle. Every time you do something to a
wine, you take out a little of what you started with. We
endeavor to share with you as much of the grape’s true
essence in every bottle; naturally, sustainably and with a
mind to being easy on your wallet.
Food Pairing Notes
Enjoy a bottle with an artisan cheese platter, chicken street
tacos, or pulled pork sliders with your favorite barbecue sauce
and a side of slaw