- 100% Zinfandel
- Jackass Hill, Russian River Valley
- Named because of the steep grade of the vineyard, from the winery “only a jackass would farm a hill that steep”
- Steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County at a grade of 65 degrees
- No irrigation, pesticides, or trellising
- Planted in 1880s
- Soils: Franciscan, Goldridge
- Rootstock: St. George
- Fermented in 100% neutral French oak
- 100% Malolactic fermentation
- Aged 11 months in 40% new French oak
- 74 cases produced
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2023
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Russian River Valley
Variety:
Zinfandel
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Certified Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-MTN-53-23 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
97
Date
2025-08-07
"The Zinfandel produced from Martinelli's more than 130-year-old Jackass Hill Vineyard is always one of my favorites, and 2023 produced a particularly elegant, expressive example. The 2023 Zinfandel Jackass Hill unfurls from the glass dramatically, segueing from strawberry, raspberry and blueberry aromas to nuances of hibiscus, tea leaves, botanicals and bitters. The palate is bursting with waves of perfumed fruit, while its silky texture and mouthwatering acidity offer a sense of weightlessness. It has a long, detailed finish and should be very long lived in the cellar. 140 cases were made."
Wine Spectator
Score
95
Date
2025-04-30
"Rich and ripe yet detailed, with brambly raspberry and dried cherry flavors that pick up nuances of baking spices, toffee and licorice as this builds toward plump and refined tannins. Drink now through 2035.-T.F."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
Wine Advocate
Score
98
Date
2023-09-29
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
96
Date
2024-12-13
"A transparent deep ruby red color, the 2022 Zinfandel Jackass Hill is a refined wine, with serious aromas that continuously evolve in the glass, layered with elegant notes of sandalwood, menthol, red-berried liqueur, cherries, dried apricot, polished leather, and forest floor. Medium-bodied, it brings tremendous purity and concentration, with ripe tannins, mouthwatering freshness, and an incredibly long palate. It™s got real underlying structure that lasts for ages on the palate, with notes of wet stone and rich mineral persistence. It™s not a joyful wine, but it™s only going to improve if given a chance in the cellar. Drink it over the next 15 or more years. This is built for the long haul."
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2024-10-10
"The 2022 Zinfandel Jackass Hill has pure scents of apricot, wild berry jam, juniper and sage, and it continues to unfurl aromatic nuances as it airs in the glass. The palate is luxuriously silky and mouthwatering with understated, spicy flavors and a long, earthy finish. Only 75 cases were made."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2023-08-03