2017 Hook & Ladder Estate Bottled Zinfandel Russian River Valley 750 ml

At its SRP, the 2017 Hook & Ladder Russian River Zinfandel is already a steal, the perfect combination of instantly gratifying dark fruit and slowly unfolding layers of spice, fresh mint, and cacao. 

At our price, it’s a no-brainer, especially for a classic Russian River Zin, crafted by one of its founding fathers.

Cecil De Loach is one of Sonoma’s modern pioneers, and the man who put the Russian River Valley AVA on the map. Our first offers from the legendary De Loach’s winery were all prompt sellouts, averaging 4.2 out of 5 stars from members, keeping company with California heavy hitters twice the price. As one thrilled member put it: “Fantastic wine and a great value! I want more!” 

This wine epitomizes cool Sonoma terroir with complex aromas of ripe blackberry preserves, plums, and a handful of herbs. The mouthfeel is generous and instantly satisfying, with dark fruit, spice, and silky tannins. Over time, purple wildflowers, bramble, and spice notes transport you to the wild, foggy Hook & Ladder home vineyard. Those 148 acres are the ones Cecil De Loach couldn’t give up when he sold his eponymous winery in 2003.

His simple goal with these vineyards was to make estate wines that his friends could afford to drink, specifically the pals he had from his days as a career San Francisco firefighter. Having owned his vineyards for decades, De Loach remains free to price his wines exactly how he wants, without sacrificing any of the quality that made his first label a Russian River standout.