Whole Cluster for Zin??

I particularly like the use of whole-cluster ferments on Syrah for the rather Rhonish character it can often give those wines. For those who worship at the altar of terroir, I guess this is a bad thing. For those who worship at the altar of soulfulness, I guess this is a good thing.

I also like the things that whole-cluster ferments can do for Pinot as well.

Curious, though...does anybody yse whole-cluster ferments for Zinfandel?? It's not something I recall hearing much talked about.

Tom

I particularly like the use of whole-cluster ferments on Syrah for the rather Rhonish character it can often give those wines. For those who worship at the altar of terroir, I guess this is a bad thing. For those who worship at the altar of soulfulness, I guess this is a good thing.

I also like the things that whole-cluster ferments can do for Pinot as well.

Curious, though...does anybody yse whole-cluster ferments for Zinfandel?? It's not something I recall hearing much talked about.

Tom

Mike Dashe for his L'Enfant Terrible?

Mark Lipton

Hi Tom,
Some believe that by performing a “full crush” the varietal characteristic of the fruit could be “manipulated”. Since most people regard “manipulation” as a “bad thing”, whole berry or a partial would mean less “manipulation”. So I would think in today’s day and age, whole berry or partial is more common than you think.

Salute

Mike Dashe for his L'Enfant Terrible?
Mark Lipton

AhhhhhSo, Mark.... Maybe that's why I don't care so much for it. I'd forgotten that. Maybe I should retry that
with that in mind??
Tom

I did whole cluster for Zin in '86 and '87, '89 and '90, from Brandlin grapes. It definitely adds a savoury note, I'd say, maybe a little pepperiness. It won't make the pruniness go away in a raisiny year. I'd guess with Primitivo it might be pretty nice.

Tom,
I remember someone at Quivira in the not so distant past did a whole cluster semi-carbonic maceration of Zinfandel. The wine was bright and fruity and was meant to be drunk young.
-Shaji

<sigh> Quivira has been through so many changes it's hard to keep up! They do have some vineyards that produce excellent fruit, but I can't tell what to expect from year to year with all the winemaking and corporate style thingies that have been going on.