2003 Brogan Cellars Mojo Cuvee Zinfandel, 375ml

Brogan Cellars is in Healdsburg. It was started in 1998 by Margaret Wierenga, who is the daughter of Burt Williams of Williams Selyem. Margaret worked for her father and other wine producers before starting a label named after her paternal grandmother. Margaret runs the winery with her husband and son. Grapes are sourced from the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. She makes about 1,500 cases annually. Brogan Cellars specializes in Pinot Noir, but also makes Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Syrah.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.