Martinelli - Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir 2021

The Martinelli Family has been farming their estate vineyards for over 135 years, continuing their rich history and making them 6th generation wine growers and farmers. The Martinelli children have always been raised working in the fields from a young age. Leno Martinelli was making wine at a very young age, and farming his own vineyards at the age of 12. Leno taught his son, Lee Sr., to make wine alongside him when Lee Sr. was just 5 years old. This tradition continued with Lee Sr. having his children tying vines, suckering, and picking apples at ages as young as 6 years old. A strong work ethic was the byproduct to the stewardship of the land as a way of life, a gift to provide for your family and a privileged obligation to the next generation. Many decades later, a few of Lee Sr. and Carolyn’s children are stilled happily involved in the farming and winery businesses on a daily basis.

The Zio Tony Ranch is named after Lee Sr.’s uncle Tony who was the first in the Bondi family to be born on American soil. Zio Tony, Zio meaning 'uncle' in Italian and pronounced 'tseo', was a very charismatic man with a big booming voice who loved a good time. When Zio Tony passed away in 1971 his nephew, Lee Martinelli, Sr., took over management of the estate. The love of his family's heritage land was too great for Lee to sell the property and in one short season he went from High School teacher to Apple Farmer. Eventually this apple orchard was converted to vineyards, as the market for apples grew unbearably soft. The vines are planted on rolling hills made up of Gold Ridge soil.

Aromas of Blood Orange peel, wet earth, and blackberry preserves fill your nose. Balanced acidity upon the entry and the palate is enhanced with flavors of black cherry, hibiscus, and raspberry tea. The finish is weighty and long and accompanied by flavors of orange peel.

Aged for 10 months in Oak: 50% new French Oak, 50% neutral French Oak. Case Production: 512

"Taking on a richer hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch is ripe and expressive with black cherry, dark wet stone, and anise. Full-bodied, it's packed with ripe wild black raspberry, ripe tannins, and a bit of iron-rich earth. It has good structure and broad shoulders, with balanced acidity to hold it together. Cellar this another couple of years and drink it 2025-2035." - 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
"A fruit-driven red, with a large core of mulberry, blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors that fan out steadily, picking up light anise, fruitcake and incense notes along the way. Showy, but with a beautifully subtle mineral thread as well, which vibrates precisely just underneath the encore of fruit on the lengthy finish." - 95 points, Wine Spectator

Producer: Martinelli 

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml