1998 Signorello Luvisi Vineyard Zinfandel

Signorello Estate is on the Silverado Trail in Napa. It was founded by Ray Signorello Sr. in the 1970s as a vineyard. Signorello was a businessman based in San Francisco and Vancouver, B.C., but he bought the 100-acre estate with the idea of growing quality grapes to source to local producers. A bountiful harvest in 1985 prompted the family to try their own custom crush, and from then on they made and sold their own wines. Today the estate is still run by the family, now headed by Ray Signorello Jr. The estate’s 40-acre vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Viognier, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The Cabernet Sauvignon blend Padrone is the flagship wine and it typically earns ratings in the low to mid-90s from wine reviewers.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

Zinfandel is a black-skinned grape, but 85% of the wine produced is made into a rosy “White Zinfandel.” Red Zin is far more complex and bold, while still being light-bodied. It grows in popularity as winemakers continue to experiment with new styles and blends.