ADVENTURES IN WINE® Jeff Runquist – 6045884121247

About the winery:
Jeff Runquist developed his skills in his 18 years of producing wines for others.  But in 1995 he launched his own label with the “Z” Zinfandel from the Massoni Ranch in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley.  All of his vineyard designate red wines reflect a fresh fruit quality indicative of the varietal flavors, particularly for the specific area in which the grapes were grown. 

His wines are characterized by a fruit forward nature on both the aroma and flavor that provides a good representation of the grape used to make the wine. This is followed by a depth, richness, and complexity that is enhanced by aging in small oak barrels. The wines finish with a smooth aftertaste where the tannins are soft and mature.

Notes from the Winemaker:
The 2010 vintage has a lively purple color of moderate depth and youthful garnet hues. The aroma’s leading actors are black currants and cedar with supporting roles provided by graphite and mint. A bouquet originating from two years of aging in deeply toasted French oak barrels provides a background of dark chocolate for the dense black fruits. Bright flavors of black cherry, juniper, and cassis are delivered on a lean texture that makes a smooth transition to a seamless finish that contains nuances of smoked wood and chalky dust. The tradition of balancing just the right amount tannins with the wine’s flavor and depth continues. The judges at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition liked this wine and awarded it a gold medal in January 2014.