TASTING NOTES:
The 2014 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard comes from 100+-year-old vines, with half head-pruned and the other half on a trellising system. It spent nine months in 46% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. This cuvée of 500 cases is absolutely sensational Zinfandel, just brilliant, with briary, black cherry fruit exploding from the glass. The wine is full-bodied, opulent and lavishly rich, with an extravagant concentration, purity and depth. This is about as good as a Zinfandel can be, so kudos to Don Hartford and winemaker Jeff Stewart.
- Robert Parker, 96 pts
Sleek and taut, with cherry and licorice aromas and complex layers of raspberry, mineral and white pepper that linger toward big but plush tannins. Drink now through 2026. 496 cases made.
- Wine Spectator, 91pts
WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Consistently distinctive cracked white pepper nuances differentiate the Highwire single-vineyard Zinfandel from Hartford's other Zinfandel bottlings. Concentrated licorice, blackberry and boysenberry fruit aromas and flavors are another signature of this vineyard each year and complement the dark chocolate and sappy dark fruit nuances that linger in the youthful finish.
