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2015 Uvaggio Montagna Nera (El Dorado)

53% Zinfandel
37% Barbera
10% mixed reds

Inspired by the unique foothill grown red blends crafted by Montevina in the mid 1970’s, we experimented for two vintages before bottling our own interpretation, using El Dorado fruit for a new millennium update.

After a few days of cold maceration, the lots were inoculated.  Then post fermentation and pressing, filled to barrels so a malo-lactic conversion took place wood.  In late Feb, select French oak barrels (including 36% new, plus 36% once used) were racked and blended, with the aging  continuing for another six months.

Bottled in August 2016; 14.3% alcohol, pH 3.69 & TA 5.8 g/l

Elegant and intriguing; spicy and toasty oak aromas, mingling with the aromas and flavors of black cherry and blackberry, plus a hint of vanilla; with a focused attack; very complete and nuanced, having a long finish.

Uvaggio Montagna Nera (El Dorado) Press

2016 Uvaggio Montagna Nera Red (El Dorado)
December 1st, 2020

"This delicious, silky textured wine wraps rich black-cherry and black fig flavors in gentle tannins and adds a hint of bright acidity for a balanced and well-polished expression of mostly Zinfandel and Barbera grapes in the blend." — Jim Gordon

92

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2016 Uvaggio Montagna Nera Red (El Dorado)
October 1st, 2020

"48% Barbera; 43% Zinfandel; 9% other. Those who might argue that the first duty of any wine is to be varietally specific would simply miss the point here as this one’s sum is truly greater than its parts. A bit more oriented to Zinfandel despite its marginally larger portion of Barbera, it keys principally on juicy, ripe black and red berries with enriching elements of sweet soil and vanilla surfacing along the way. Its lengthy finish shows a fine spark of brightening acidity, and, although tasty and easy to drink now, it is structured to keep and very likely to gain in complexity for another three or four years. "

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