Summit Lake 2012 Estate, Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

We Scored Again! Summit Lake Vineyards was founded by Bob and Sue Brakesman in 1971. They produced their first commercial vintage in 1978 a Zinfandel and it won a double gold medal at the California State Fair. The winery is truly a family affair Bob manages the vineyards with the help of his sons and is the winemaker. Howell Mountain was Napa's first sub appellation gaining its status in 1983 (same year as Carneros). Along with Bill Smith, Randy Dunn, Mike Beatty and Bob Lamborn, Bob was one of the founding vintners who laid the groundwork to creating the Howell Mountain AVA. Summit Lake focuses on producing hand crafted small production Estate grown red wines including Zinfandel (for a small handcrafted wine these are some of the most affordable to quality ratio Zinfandels in the Napa area). The vineyards are above 2,000 feet above sea level making them and some of their neighbors among the higher vineyards in Napa County. Above the fog line, these vineyards are bathed in sunshine all day long but are tempered by the high altitude. This is the 2012 Zin and it's outstanding! 2012 was a vintage to be remembered with exceptional weather and beautiful ripe fruit. A couple of years in the bottle have brought this wine a silky softness that's irresistible. Beverage Testing Institute scored this 93 points "Exceptional" saying "Bright dark nearly opaque ruby color. Lively, fruity, toasty earthy aromas and flavors of chocolate mousse and raspberry torte with an oily, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a warming, complex, brief dried berries, sweet and peppery spices, orange creme brulee, and nut brittle finish with chewy, firm, grippy tannins and moderate oak. A vibrant, well-balanced Zinfandel." We're offering this dynamite Zin to our Wine Express customers at tremendous savings but it's extremely limited so don't wait!!