Martinelli ‘Jackass Hill’ Zinfandel 2021 – 750ml Terroir

96pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2021 Zinfandel Jackass Hill takes on a more mineral tone in its notes of crushed gravel, red plum, wild red berries, and baking spices. Full-bodied, with sweet tannins and great concentration, it offers ripe red fruit, peach, and turned smoky earth, and it’s long on the palate, with a good finish and a hint of mocha. Drink 2024-2040.

93pts Vinous

The 2021 Zinfandel Jackass Hill is bursting at the seems with super ripe red fruit, white flowers and white pepper. Readers will find an especially open, racy Zinfandel with plenty of character, but less overt weight than in past. Tasted next to the Jackass Vineyard, the Jackass Hill is more earthy and savory, although the two wines are not as different as they have been is past years.

Winemaker Notes

Concentrated and aromatic on the nose with aromas of wild raspberries, stone fruit, and cream. An exquisite entry with a composed palate is filled with the flavors of ripe cherry, fleshy nectarine, and raspberry. The balanced, barrel spiced flavors enhance the sustained finish.

About the Winery

The Martinelli Family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Russian River Valley since the late 1880s. As 5th generation stewards of some of the finest vineyards in the region, they’re proud to continue this legacy of hands-on farming, bringing decades of experience to everything they do.

Their primary goal has always been hand-crafting quality wines that are born in their estate vineyards. All of their grapes are Estate grown, allowing us to use only their favorite blocks for each vineyard designated wine. They have a commitment to quality and have never offered for sale a wine that they felt did not live up to the reputation and expectations of its label. They also try to maintain a sense of consistency with each vintage, while still allowing the true nature of the vineyard to shine through. These wines are limited production and each vineyard is hand farmed very carefully, producing only the finest quality fruit.