Ravenswood Old Hill Vineyard Zinfandel 2004

A superb wine from the legendary Joel Peterson of Ravenswood. The fruit for this exceptional Zinfandel comes from the Old Hill Vineyard, planted over a century ago and restored by forward-thinking Otter Teller.

When millionaire Teller took over the vineyard in 1981 it lay in ruin yet he ignored advice to grub it up, fumigate and start again. Instead, he cleared the brush with a dragline, left a natural cover of grass and stimulated vine growth with foliar kelp, relying on ladybugs and praying mantises to control pests. Far ahead of his time, Teller rejected the use of chemical herbicides and fertilizers and quickly established one of the most remarkable organic vineyards in California.

This wonderful wine shows blackberry, black pepper, vanilla, coffee, smoky and mint flavours. It's generous, aromatic and incredibly smooth. Serve with game casserole, lamb shanks or char-grilled steaks.