Mike & Molly Hendry "R.W. Moore Vineyard" Zinfandel 2023
(Coombsville, Napa Valley, California) - [WA 93] [WE 93]

About the Winery: 
In 1939, Mike’s grandparents purchased 120 acres of farmland at the base of Mount Veeder in Napa. This property remains in the Hendry family today and is now recognized as the Hendry Ranch Vineyard and Winery. Mike spent many of his childhood summers working the tractors, pruning the vines, and learning about the cultivation of wine grapes and the wine making process.

Today Mike works as the vineyard manager and director of marketing and sales for Hendry Ranch, and works with Bill Moore at the Moore Vineyard. Molly works as an attorney in downtown Napa, and assists Mike with his responsibilities at Hendry. They have both contributed much time and energy to the careful production of the Mike and Molly Hendry Zinfandel. 

About this Vineyard:
The R.W. Moore Vineyard is located near the southern end of the Napa Valley, in the Coombsville AVA (American Viticultural Area). It was planted in 1905 and is maintained in the traditional, dry farmed, head trained, and field blended style. Mike and Molly Hendry have been producing wines from this iconic Napa vineyard since 2009.

This historic property is a reflection of farming practices in the Napa Valley at the turn of the 20th century. Back then, it was quite common to see vineyards planted with vines that were “head trained,” meaning short and free-standing, without the support of a trellis. Irrigation was not an easy option, so the vines often went without additional water – what we call “dry farming.” It was also common for growers to plant a mix of grape varieties in one single vineyard. They would pick the vineyard as a whole and the resulting wine would be a blend. This is in contrast to modern methods of blending wines after fermentation. In the case of the R.W. Moore Vineyard, the majority of the vineyard is planted to Zinfandel (also a reflection of early 20th century trends!) with small amounts of Petite Sirah, Carignane, Mourvedre and Mourtaou.

Tasting Notes:
Full bodied, yet graceful and smooth on the palate, this wine is delicious now but will show well for years to come. Characterized by black, brambly fruit, pepper and warm spices. We enjoy this wine with braised short ribs, rack of lamb, stews, burgers, and hard, aged cheeses like gouda or parmesan.

Technical Details
Appellation: Coombsville, Napa Valley, California
Vineyard Age: Planted in 1905 (over 115 years old)

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Wine Advocate
“From a Coombsville vineyard planted in 1905 (once made by Turley and offered as Moore Earthquake), Mike and Molly Hendry's 2022 Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard is a beauty and very reasonably priced for the quality. This dry-farmed, head-trained old vineyard is actually about 95% Zinfandel, with small proportions of Mourtaou (Cabernet Pfeffer), Carignan, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah. Complex fruit notes of stone fruit, plum and black cherries mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is silky and expansive without being at all overweight or cooked and boasts a long, fresh finish.”

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Mouthwatering and full of flavor, the 2023 vintage has shone a light on the iconic Coombsville vineyard adding bright fruit to its complex of mixed currants, dark plums and mixed pepper. Full of natural intensity, the R.W. Moore Zinfandel remains, nevertheless, refined, lithe, and delicious. A stand out. — Elaine Chukan Brown