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January 11th, 2012
JC Cellars Back in the Zin Saddle Again
Here is Tim Fish of the Wine Spectators latest blog post. Posted January 11, 2012 Winemaker Jeff Cohn was the man behind Rosenblum’s stellar Zinfandels during that winery’s heyday, so when he launched his own winery, JC Cellars, he focused almost exclusively on Syrah and other Rh&oc...

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2003 Iron Hill Vineyard Zinfandel

"Located at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountain range, Iron Hill Vineyard is adjacent to Arrowhead Mountain Vineyard. The area in which it's located used to be called Iron Hill due to the deposits of iron from the volcanic rock, producing a reddish soil. The iron rich, red volcanic soil is the unique feature to this vineyard's terroir.

When the vineyard was planted, over 200 tons of volcanic rock had to be removed. This was made even more difficult by the fact that the vineyard is located on a 43-degree slope. As with Arrowhead Mountain Vineyard, everything is farmed by hand, with weeds pulled by backhoe. The soil is fed with dolomite, compost, bone meal, fishmeal, kelp, fish oil, and calcium. No sulphur is used in the vineyard. Every section is treated a little differently due to different soil composition within the vineyard."  -Jeff Cohn

Tasting Notes

Down the street from Arrowhead Mountain, this is also another zinfandel that dreams of being in the Northern Rhône. Grown also in nonexistent soils and 45-50 degree slopes, this wine is more in the line of a blend of Hermitage and Cornas, but screaming to show off its zinfandel heritage. Black cherry, plums, cola and crème de frambois wrapped in a mineral and smoky spice blanket. It's pure decadence.

Varietals: 97.5% Zinfandel, 2.5% Petite Syrah
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Alcohol: 16.0%
Production: 98 cases

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This distinctive and appealingly exotic Zin features aromas of smoky black raspberry that follow through to zesty, complex flavors of peppered beef, black cherry and toasted anise. Finishes with racy, rustic tannins. Drink now through 2017.— T.F.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 92 points

Also a winner, the 2008 Zinfandel Iron Hill Vineyard was aged completely in French oak. Its dense plum/garnet/purple-tinged color is accompanied by a wine with a full-bodied mouthfeel, peppery, garrigue, black cherry and meaty notes, and a full-bodied finish.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 94 points

The same can be said of the 2007 Zinfandel Iron Hill Vineyard (99 cases). This offering exhibits a more floral character as opposed to blockbuster red and black fruits.

Not for every taste, this is fairly Rhône-like, though it’s loaded with personality. Offers the spicy, smoky meat aromas of an Italian deli, with concentrated, ripe wild berry, blueberry and licorice flavors that finish on a briary note. Drink now through 2012. 127 cases made.
Dark ruby/purple-tinged, medium-bodied…possesses peppery forest floor, underbrush, and briery, cherry-like fruit characteristics. It should be drunk over the next 3-4 years.
This wine reveals an even more saturated ruby/purple color as well as impressive levels of rich, briery, concentrated, sweet fruit (raspberries, cherries, blueberries), plenty of pepper, a distinctive, earthly terroir component, and a spicy, full-bodied finish with tart acidity providing uplift. It is a classic, high octane, gorgeous Zinfandel to drink over the next 5-6 years.