2001 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe and Luisa Russian River Valley
This top-flight winery has turned out a medium ruby-colored 2001 Zinfandel Guiseppe and Luisa (15.3% alcohol). Big, tangy, sweet aromas of black raspberries, cherries, and spice box are followed by a fleshy, medium to full-bodied offering with gorgeous purity, a lovely texture, and enough acidity to provide vibrancy and uplift. This is the freshest, most vigorous and vibrant of this trio.Rated 91 The Wine Advocate
2001 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard Russian River Valley
From the renowned Jackass Vineyard, the 2001 Zinfandel (a mere 14.9% alcohol, rather low for this vineyard) exhibits a dark plum/garnet color in addition to a complex nose of plums, figs, smoked game, sweet and sour cherries, black currants, and earth. Medium to full-bodied with surprisingly good acidity, it is, to date, the most elegant, well-delineated, vibrant Zinfandel made from this incredibly steep hillside vineyard. Rated 91 The Wine Advocate
2002 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard Russian River Valley
The brilliant 2002 Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard (485 cases of 16.5% material) has a deep ruby/purple color, a big, full-bodied nose that smells like a Moroccan outdoor marketplace, with many exotic spices, huge amounts of sweet currant, and brandy-laced blackberry, plum-like fruit. Some figs enter the picture, and this powerful, individualistic wine is spicy, rich, unctuously textured, and just oh, so long and thrilling to drink.Rated 95 The Wine Advocate
1999 Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel Russian River Valley
The spectacular 1999 Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard (1,700 cases of 15.9% alcohol) is compelling. An opaque garnet/purple/plum color is followed by an exotic bouquet of smoked Peking duck, plum sauce, blackberry and cherry liqueur, and Asian spices. The wine is exquisitely concentrated, thick, viscous, and rich, but dry and remarkably well-balanced, with a blockbuster finish. It should drink well for a decade. Year in and year out, the following wine gets my nod as one of California’s greatest Zinfandels. Rated 92 The Wine Advocate
1998 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard Russian River Valley
The murky, plum/purple-colored 1998 Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard is followed by scents of prunes, plum liqueur, licorice, smoke, coffee, and assorted Asian spices. The wine is spectacularly rich, thick, and chewy, with low acidity. Its 16+% alcohol is barely noticeable. Rated 95 The Wine Advocate