2005 Zinfandel Giuseppe and Luisa
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby. Intensely aromatic nose offers potent blackberry and blueberry aromas strongly accented by black cardamom, dried rose, cured tobacco and musky underbrush. Lush and creamy, with impressively sweet dark fruit flavors and a hint of floral pastille. Very concentrated but also soft and approachable. This plot is planted with cuttings from the Jackass vineyard.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Of course, the Martinellis made their reputation with their extraordinary Zinfandels, and the newest of the cuvees is the Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa. The 2005 is a blockbuster, with deep ruby/purple color and a big, sweet nose of ripe figs, strawberry and cherry jam, mincemeat, and peppery spices. It is full-bodied, heady, opulent, and ideal for drinking over the next 5-7 years, although I suspect it will last a lot longer. The finished alcohol is 16.90%. Kudos to the Martinelli family, one of the great old winemaking families of Northern California. (They also produce exquisite apples as well.) Previously recommended: 2004 Chardonnay Charles Ranch (91); 2004 Chardonnay Martinelli Road (94); 2004 Chardonnay Woolsey Road (92); 2004 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch (89?); 2004 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard (89); 2004 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch (90); 2004 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa (93); 2004 Jackass Vineyard (93); 2004 Jackass Hill Vineyard (95) Tel. (707) 525-0570; Fax (707) 525-9463
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.