Medium garnet in color, the 2007 Zinfandel Vellutini Ranch has a very pretty nose of red fruit preserves—raspberry jam and cranberry sauce—with kirsch, potpourri, oolong tea and cinnamon stick nuances plus a touch of fallen leaves. It delivers a wonderfully Rubenesque palate with a gorgeous velvety texture and harmonizing freshness, finishing very long and fragrant.

Absolutely brilliant, the 2007 Zinfandel Vellutini Ranch (a new 7-acre parcel planted with the Jackass Clone) boasts a dense purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of smoked game, roasted herbs, kirsch, black raspberries, plums, and figs. Meaty, gamy, powerful, and full-bodied with extravagant fruit and depth, this is a sensational Zinfandel to drink over the next 5-7 years. Martinelli’s Zinfandel portfolio continues to grow, with as many as five different offerings now available. The 2006 and 2007 Jackass Hill Vineyard cuvees were not tasted at this visit. However, the other four wines I tasted, all from steep hillside vineyard sites with the newer plantings planted from bud wood of both the Jackass Hill and Jackass vineyards, were brilliant. They are among the fullest-bodied, headiest, most distinctive Zinfandels made in California.Tel. (707) 525-0570; Fax (707) 525-9463