2003 Zinfandel Giuseppe and Luisa
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Good medium red. Brambly raspberry, currant and tobacco aromas complicated by hints of dill and dried flowers; almost pinot-like. Wonderfully sweet and velvety-deep, with a pliant texture given shape and verve by lively acidity. This is already delicious but should be even better for a year of two of additional cellaring.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
There are 756 cares of the 2003 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, which, believe it or not, tops the scales at 17.4%. At this point, some heat and the high alcohol does become noticeable on the palate. There are plenty of sweet currants and loads of pepper, but the raisiny fruit needs to calm down. Roasted meats and a liqueur of mincemeat and spice box are part of this package, and the wine is impressive, full-bodied, but obviously controversial. It possesses an evolved, medium ruby/garnet color. This one I would opt for drinking over the next 3-4 years, but certainly that high alcohol is going to keep it stable. 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.