In 1885, Chinese laborers dug a 350-foot wine cave using only picks and shovels. This hand-dug cave and winery was one of the first wineries to appear in the Napa Valley and is currently one of only six still in existence.  In 1997, Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto restored the original winery and began aging their red wines in the caves. These Cave-Aged wines proved to be more voluptuous and opulent than those aged in modern facilities, and they continue to age their wines in these historic caves to this day, now dubbed Del Dotto Caves.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Del Dotto Caves Zinfandel. The style is rich and somewhat brooding in a good way. In the glass the color is dark purple and opaque. The aromatics were initially restrained, but opened nicely as wine began to aerate revealing layers of dark fruit. Aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, tobacco and tilled soil, with notes of dark chocolate, saddle leather and a hint of oak lifted out of the glass. The palate is full bodied, thick, layered and textured with grainy tannins and a rich mouth-feel. The dark fruit flavors continue through to the finish and with a slight lift in minerality that is present to the end. The Del Dotto Caves Zinfandel brings me back to the days when this varietal was crafted in the late 80’s and early 90’s by leading winemakers in Sonoma and Napa. Thanks Del Dotto for bringing back some great memories!

By Perry Miroballi