Scott and Lynn Adams burst onto the wine scene with the 1999 vintage and continue to offer distinctively different wines from their estate vineyards near Healdsburg, and a few other sites that complement their devotion to quality farming. Their focused attention to making limited quantities of great wines has resulted in an ever-growing base of followers of Bella wines. They host winery events and parties that are legendary, but what really sets them apart is their wonderful portfolio of wines, that show a combination of restrained power and elegance that are age-worthy.

Lily Hill Estate is an old vine zinfandel vineyard in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley and is also home to the winery. Italian immigrant Adamo Micheli and his young son, Angelo, planted the first vines over 100 years ago in 1915. The 2019 Bella Lily Hill Zinfandel expresses the classic style of zinfandel from Dry Creek with dark red fruit and nuances of spices. The color is dark ruby with aromatics of wild berries, baking spices and made in a more rustic style. The palate shows characteristics of cedar, spices are persistent, firm tannins, and flavors that are layered and textured through to a firm finish. This well-made zinfandel should gain more balance and the tannins soften with age.

By Perry Miroballi