AldenAlli is a collaboration between the families Dan Kosta and Emeril Lagasse. The winery is named after their wifes Alli Kosta and Alden Lagasse. The initial release was a 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. In 2015 the lineup expanded to include a single vineyard Pinot Noir from Campbell Ranch and a Zinfandel from Limerick Lane Vineyard. Shane Finley is the winemaker at AldenAlli.
Limerick Lane Vineyard is just south of Healdsburg at the end of Limerick Lane. The vineyard was planted around 1910 by Mario Del Fava and has only been farmed by 3 families in the last 100 years. The fruit goes to Limerick Lane, Carlisle, AldenAlli and Bedrock.
Crimson in color. 14.3% ABV. Pretty nose of red and black fruits, anise, earth and pepper. Medium to full bodied with perfect acidity. Well balanced. Elegant, Claret style Zinfandel. Black cherry, raspberry compote, citrus and baking spices on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Gorgeous, young Zinfandel from one of the true vineyard gems in the Russian River Valley. Best over the next 2-4 years.
My rating: 93 points.
AldenAlli is just getting started. The 2018 version of this wine will be released early next year. I trust Dan Kosta and encourage readers to consider signing up for the mailing list.
I previously wrote about AldenAlli in Three Mailers to Consider.