Wine Recommendation
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Wine Recommendation

Joseph Filippi Winery & Vineyards 2003 Zinfandel Artist Series Reserve  (Cucamonga Valley)

Joseph Filippi Winery & Vineyards

2003 Zinfandel Artist Series Reserve
(Cucamonga Valley)



Brothers Joseph “J.P.” and Gino Filippi of Rancho Cucamonga recently celebrated their family’s 83rd anniversary in the wine business. Along with their winemaking team, Marc Lurton of Chateau Reynier in Bordeaux, Tish Cooper and Dr. Fred S. Nury, they look to old vine Zinfandel, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Alicante along with newer plantings of Bordeaux varietals as well as Grenache Noir, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Tannat for their stable of wines from this off-the-beaten path appellation in Southern California. Gino Filippi wrote the petition that resulted in Cucamonga Valley becoming an American Viticultural Area in 1995.

Long looked to as a source for superior Zinfandel, this limited release is sourced from three local vineyards, all with low-yielding, dry-farmed, head-trained 75+ year old vines. Sitting on the fence between the trendy full-throttle, trophy style lionized by the “big boys” and the more restrained, understated styles consumed more often at the table, it is bright vivid ruby, full-bodied, unctuous, and port-like (15.9% alcohol). It has raspberry jam, cherry, cranberry, boysenberry, and vanilla notes, a very juicy core, and a long, bright, tarry finish.

Reviewed October 20, 2006 by Catherine Fallis.

The Wine

Winery: Joseph Filippi Winery & Vineyards
Vintage: 2003
Wine: Zinfandel Artist Series Reserve
Appellation: Cucamonga Valley
Grape: Zinfandel
Price: 750ml $14.95

Review Date: 10/20/2006

The Reviewer

Catherine Fallis

Founder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth.