2020 Román Zinfandel
Named in honor of our cellarmaster, Román Cisneros, who has worked at Marietta for over three decades, this Estate Zinfandel is a blend of fruit from our Angeli estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and our McDowell Valley estate vineyard. This wine captures the bright, juicy character of Zinfandel, hearkening back to an era before dark, thick and oaky styles of Zinfandel took hold. The Virgin of Guadalupe on the label is a nod to Román’s dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice, both for the Bilbro family and his own. It is also a nod to the Mexican-American heritage of Román and many of Marietta’s crew members.
The Man, the Myth, the Legend
Román Cisneros, Marietta’s first and oldest employee, is undeniably the backbone of wine production at Marietta Cellars. The Román Zinfandel is a salute to the man who built his legacy from the ground up through more physical work than anyone could ever match, and ultimate dedication to his family. Get to know Román through the video below.
2020 Román Zinfandel
FAMILY SERIES
92% Zinfandel, 4% Barbara, 4% Petit Sirah. Estate grown, North Coast Appellation
A unique approach of cool fermentations and 12 months of neutral barrel aging emphasize freshness in Marietta’s Zinfandel. This varietally labeled Zinfandel is blended with a small amount of Petite Sirah to lend structure and a touch of Barbera to add a dimension of savory wildness.
TASTING NOTES
Lovely aromas of berry galette with a touch of crisped brown sugar are underscored by rose petal and orange zest. The broad, supple palate offers ripe grilled peach, finishing clean with lingering notes of black pepper and star anise.
VINTAGE NOTES
Fortunately, we were able to harvest optimally ripened fruit before the 2020 fires, right in the middle of a pandemic. Working through uncertain conditions, the vineyard and winery crews pulled through with beautiful grapes and subsequently gorgeous wines.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
The Román Zinfandel pairs well with pizzas, pastas, grilled foods, and tangy, smoky barbecue sauces
This wine is included in the 2022 Spring Club Shipment, along with the debut of Ex Marietta, the 2019 Angeli Syrah, and the 2018 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about the Marietta Wine Club here.
Vineyard Notes
The fruit for this wine comes from the Angeli Estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and the McDowell Valley estate. The Angeli Ranch, first planted to vines in the late 1880s, is a 35 acre vineyard connecting Zinfandel planted on gravel swales from the Russian River to terraced knolls planted with Cabernet. Foggy mornings along the Russian River burn off to hot afternoons followed by chilly nights, striking the perfect balance between warm days and cool nights. The McDowell Valley estate, situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, resides in a round “cold sink” that ensures acidity and freshness.
Scot & Brian Talk Wine
Marietta Owner and Winemaker Scot Bilbro talks Román Zin with VP of Sales and veteran of the vines Brian Lynch.
Keep Exploring
Learn more about the 2022 Spring Club wines through the links below.
Ex Marietta Series 2019 Angeli Syrah. LEARN MORE>
Estate Series 2018 Game Trail. LEARN MORE>