Rattlesnake

The Mount Peak story begins more than a century ago at the celebrated Monte Rosso Vineyard and culminates with the revival of Mount Peak Winery, a vestige of one of California’s ghost wineries. Our wines are inspired by this great place, and we pay tribute to the extraordinary winery that once stood there by capturing its enduring spirit in our wine.

In 2017, heavy winter rains fueled vine growth early in the season – a warm, steady summer and fall followed, leading to a slightly early harvest with intensely fruit-driven yields. Even in slightly inconsistent years, Monte Rosso’s elevation and aspect determinedly inform astonishing, character-driven wines. The vineyard’s southwestern facing slopes drain quickly and encourage vines to reach deep into the earth for ultra-concentrated, site-specific flavors.

We gave the grapes a three-day cold soak to extract the desired foundation for color, flavor and structure. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with 10-14 days of maceration time. All lots were aged separately until the blend was assembled and returned to barrel for flavors to integrate. Total barrel aging was 14 months in a combination of French (39% new) and American oak, (11% new) with the balance aging in neutral barrels.

Rattlesnake Zinfandel is a tribute to the crest called Rattlesnake Hill, the highest point of the Monte Rosso Vineyard. It’s famous for the rattlesnakes living among the vines, seeking sunshine by day and coiling around the vines at night. This Zinfandel is bold and boisterous, with intense layers black cherry, raspberry, licorice and Sichuan pepper. Vanilla and graham cracker undertones linger on the long finish – this wine lives up to its name in every way, possessing a power that strikes with intense force.

Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Syrah

16.0%

3.4G/L

5.8G/L

3.80