Gary Galleron

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2001 GALLERON ZINFANDEL
BRANHAM ROCKPILE, SONOMA COUNTY

ZInfandel

Wine Profile
  • Composition:   100% Zinfandel
  • Vineyard:  Branham Rockpile
  • Appellation:   Sonoma County
  • Sub Appellation: Rockpile
  • Vintage:   2001
  • Wine Alcohol:  14.2% by volume
  • 190 Cases Made
  • Price: $32.00
Other Vintages:
2002Vintage
2001 Vintage
2000 Vintage
1999 Vintage
The Vintage:

“Spring came early this year, setting the stage for one of the quickest flowering and fruit set periods on record. A sudden, unexpected deep frost in April caught growers by surprise followed by extreme heat spikes in May, June and July. The weather eventually evened out as the summer progressed and by August temperatures were ideal. The warm days and cool nights gave the red varietals some hang-time, just what they needed to achieve the perfect balance of sugar, flavor and acid.”—Gary Galleron, Winemaker

The Vineyard:

Branham RockpileThe Branham Rockpile Vineyard is found in the “Rockpile Appellation,” located in the mountainous highlands above Lake Sonoma. Grower Gary Branham ripped three acres of barren hilltop to plant Zinfandel vines in 1993. The soil is shale rock and is well drained; ideal conditions in which to grow highly stressed vines that produce loose clusters with small berries that are intense and flavorful.

The Wine:

Vibrant red in color, this big, chewy, brambly-berry wine reflects its mountainous terroir. The vines are spring fed from an underground stream creating pure fruit flavors of raspberry, cherry and strawberry in the wine that ring-out like a bell. This Zinfandel is so structured that it begs to be decanted for early enjoyment. A wine with such tremendous balance of tannin and acidity that it pairs beautifully with food.

What The Critics Say...

"The Galleron Branham Rockpile from Sonoma County...screams of brooding mountain fruit." Alan Goldfarb, St. Helena Star

EXCEPTIONAL - "Black raspberry and a faint hint of clove; deep rich fruit in the mouth, but with great balancing acidity so it matches brilliantly with food; a claret-like approach. A great new wine from a new appellation, by Gary Galleron, ex-Grace Family wine maker." Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences

"...Rockpile grapes... tend to produce wines with dark colors, deep and intense flavors and full body without harsh textures...excellent examples to watch for...GALLERON ZINFANDEL ROCKPILE BRANHAM VINEYARD 2000 ($32):...bright with pure raspberry and cherry flavors and cedar accents." Jim Gordon, Wine Country Living