1997 Fetzer Barrel Select Zinfandel

ACID/pH: 0.62/3.54| ALCOHOL: 14.5% RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.05% (Dry) BOTTLED: 5/99 RELEASE DATE: 10/99 SUGG. RETAIL (CA): $14.99 CASE PRODUCTION: 28,000

WINEMAKER NOTES
Zinfandel holds a special place in the hearts of many wine lovers, especially in America. A big, lovable wine that has evoked a following unlike any other varietal, the varietal is considered America's contribution to the world of wine. Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, Zinfandel has been developed in America without precedents set by other wine regions of the world. Fetzer has a strong connection with Zinfandel, for these were the first wines commercially made by the Fetzer family in 1968. The winery earned a solid reputation in the wine business with their vineyard designated Zinfandels, and continue to work with many of the growers and vineyards that first supplied the winery with their outstanding grapes. Since those early 'pioneering' years, the Mendocino appellation has come to be associated with some of the best Zinfandel in the state. Fetzer Barrel Select Zinfandel is rich garnet in color. In the nose, forward berry and spice aromas offer complexities of toasted hazelnut from barrel aging. In the mouth, ripe blackberry flavors mingle with a hint of crushed black pepper and vanilla. Long in the finish, this fine Zinfandel will develop in the bottle through at least 2005.

GRAPE SOURCING
96% Zinfandel from Mendocino, blended with 4% Petit Sirah for additional structure, depth and spicy notes. The growers represented in this blend include Cox, Sargentini, and Pifero in Mendocino County, and Arnese and Clockspring Vineyards in Amador County. Most of these growers have been working with Fetzer since the winery's first Zinfandels were produced in 1968. All the grapes were harvested in mid-October, 1997, at an average sugar level of 24.5° Brix.

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
This wine's classic Zinfandel flavors will complement tomato-sauced pastas, pizza, grilled sausage or steak, game meats and braised chicken. This wine is also excellent with a wine range of cheeses.

AGING
Most of the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks and then gently pumped over frequently to maximize the extraction of color and flavor. The wine was aged 12 months in small 100% American oak barrels. Ten percent of the barrels were new, fifty percent were once-used, and forty percent were twice-used. The American oak barrels for Fetzer Barrel Select Zinfandel are made at our on-site cooperage, the only one of its kind in America.