96pts Jeb Dunnuck

A transparent deep ruby red color, the 2022 Zinfandel Jackass Hill is a refined wine, with serious aromas that continuously evolve in the glass, layered with elegant notes of sandalwood, menthol, red-berried liqueur, cherries, dried apricot, polished leather, and forest floor. Medium-bodied, it brings tremendous purity and concentration, with ripe tannins, mouthwatering freshness, and an incredibly long palate. It’s got real underlying structure that lasts for ages on the palate, with notes of wet stone and rich mineral persistence. It’s not a joyful wine, but it’s only going to improve if given a chance in the cellar. Drink it over the next 15 or more years. This is built for the long haul.

Winemaker Notes

Concentrated and aromatic on the nose with aromas of wild raspberries, stone fruit, and cream. An exquisite entry with a composed palate is filled with the flavors of ripe cherry, fleshy nectarine, and raspberry. The balanced, barrel spiced flavors enhance the sustained finish.

About the Winery

The Martinelli Family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Russian River Valley since the late 1880s. As 5th generation stewards of some of the finest vineyards in the region, they’re proud to continue this legacy of hands-on farming, bringing decades of experience to everything they do.

Their primary goal has always been hand-crafting quality wines that are born in their estate vineyards. All of their grapes are Estate grown, allowing us to use only their favorite blocks for each vineyard designated wine. They have a commitment to quality and have never offered for sale a wine that they felt did not live up to the reputation and expectations of its label. They also try to maintain a sense of consistency with each vintage, while still allowing the true nature of the vineyard to shine through. These wines are limited production and each vineyard is hand farmed very carefully, producing only the finest quality fruit.