2020 “Fifth Moon” Cherryhouse Vineyard Zinfandel - RD Winery

A brilliantly fresh and vibrant parade of plump red cherry, juicy blueberry, tart mulberry, and chocolate covered strawberry radiates with smile-inducing energy and crunch as notes of blistered shishito pepper, chili powder, and crushed peppercorns playfully provide a range of deliciously spicy undertones. Hints of sagebrush, undergrowth, and dried bramble gently contribute pleasant herbal and woody character that is softly offset by floral wafts of lavender and rose petal. Impressions of leather, coffee grounds, and smoke subtly enhance the display with a range of savory and lightly roasted qualities that rise above understated earthy suggestions of parched sandy soil. Beautifully lean, youthful, and fruit-driven on the palate with a wonderful combination of modern juiciness and classic restraint; exhibiting a fun and deliciously food friendly presentation that remains terrifically well balanced and terroir expressive. Merely medium bodied with mellow tannin supported by moderate acidity. This 2020 "Fifth Moon" Cherryhouse Vineyard Zinfandel by RD Winery is an authentic and exciting red from Mokelumne River.

Located within the larger Lodi AVA that sits just south of Sacramento and east of the bay area, the Mokelumne River AVA is a historic winegrowing and agricultural zone prized for its high concentration of old vine Zinfandel vineyards. This bottling, crafted by RD Winery using Zinfandel sourced from the 50+ year old Cherryhouse Vineyard, is an unique and approachable expression of this classic Zinfandel terroir. Crafted in a juicy and crushable style, this elegantly gushes with energetic red and blue fruits layered with spicy peppery notes, brambly herbs, clean floral tones, and textbook sandy Lodi earthiness. This light and bright wine is ready to enjoy immediately upon release while its fruit is at its most succulent, and can be consumed lightly chilled to bring out its greatest level of vibrancy. Yum.