2003 Radio-Coteau Zinfandel Von Weidlich Vineyard

Eric Sussman works with one old vine Zinfandel vineyard, and his 2003 Zinfandel Von Weidlich (formerly know as the Occidental Vineyard whose fruit was purchased by Ridge Vineyards in the seventies) exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, briery, peppery, earthy nose, dense, full-bodied flavors, heady alcohol, beautiful fruit, and a style meant to be drunk now and over the next 3-4 years. This was the first opportunity I have had to taste a comprehensive line-up from new kid on the block, Eric Sussman. Sussman appears to be on a fast track to success with his hand-crafted, vineyard-based Pinot Noirs, Syrahs, and Zinfandels. All of the following wines are fermented with native yeasts, aged on their lees in French oak with no racking, and are bottled without fining or filtration. The vineyard sources are all cool climate sites west of Highway 101 in western Sonoma County. I suspect most of Radio-Coteau’s wines are sold via a mailing list, so readers are urged to sign up. Tel. (707) 887-8335; Fax (801) 340-6041