Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The heart of Cortina Zinfandel comes from Chen’s Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley, planted in 1972 by fourth-generation Ted Seghesio and his father, Ed. The creek-side site combines sandy ground with the gravelly loam known as Cortina, which gives the wine its name. Morning fog and afternoon marine breezes extend hang time in normal seasons.
Grapes
100% Zinfandel.
Vinification
All grapes were picked by hand, sorted at the winery, gently destemmed, and transferred without pumping into small open-top fermentors. Pneumatic punch-downs managed extraction during seven to ten days on the skins. The free-run juice was drained and briefly settled before transfer to barrel for malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
Matured for 15 months in 14% new French oak and 86% neutral French and American oak.
Technical data
- Vintage: 2022
- Harvest: September 2–17, 2022
- Alcohol: 15%
- pH: 3.82
- Titratable acidity: 5.2 g/L
- Format presented: 750 ml
Tasting profile
Briary black raspberry, lavender, and graham-cracker crust introduce the wine. Supple, velvety tannins frame vivid red fruit and a restrained cocoa-powder note. The mid-palate is long and elegant, leading to a rich, gently spiced finish.
Serving and pairing
Pair with lamb, creamy pasta, or vegetable dishes.
Vintage notes
The 2022 season began with markedly low winter rainfall and a prolonged frost period extending into late April, though Seghesio’s vineyards largely avoided damage. Cooler May and June conditions brought development closer to the seasonal norm before July and August heat caused some sunburn. Harvest began in late August; record heat during Labor Day week accelerated ripening and vineyard stress, resulting in one of the estate’s fastest harvests.
