2019 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Raymond Burr Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
Chinese five spice, pink peppercorns, yellow peach, morello cherries, red currant, warm clove, desiccated roses, wild blackberries, peach blossom, and sweet thyme aromatics tantalize your nose as you waft this Zinfandel. The refreshing and warming bursts of yellow peach, baked cherry pie, red roses, pink peppercorn spice, clove, wild red currant, and refreshing eucalyptus are highlighted by the wine’s vivid acidity. Perched on a steep, iron-rich volcanic slope at the base of Bradford Mountain, produces an elegant yet powerful Zinfandel where concentration, freshness, and finesse come together in a distinctly site-driven expression.
Vineyard
Raymond Burr Vineyard is planted on a steep slope along the western edge of the valley floor at the base of Bradford Mountain. The site is defined by Boomer soil—a red, volcanic soil rich in iron, which naturally limits vigor and promotes concentration while preserving balance. This challenging hillside exposure and distinctive soil profile consistently produce Zinfandel of elegance and structure, offering intensity without heaviness and a natural tension that translates into refined tannins, lifted aromatics, and age-worthy wines.
Winemaking
Up off the valley floor on an east-facing bench of northern Dry Creek Valley, the Raymond Burr vineyard is planted to 7 acres of 30+ year-old Zinfandel. This varietal is unique in achieving ripeness without compromising on acidity. Additionally, Zinfandel has a hidden talent for showing flavors of ripe peaches. According to the old-time growers, this is a sign of a high-quality Zin.
Specs
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Clones: Turley Selection
Soil Types: Volcanic Boomer Loam
Farming: Practicing Organic
Years Planted: 1990
Harvest Date: September 7th 2019
Brix: 24.8
Oak Treatment: 20% New French Oak 18 months
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production 10 Barrels Produced
2021 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Grist Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Planted in 1974 at 1000 feet elevation, Grist Vineyard produces award-winning Zinfandel known for its mineral complexity and intensity.
The rich, volcanic soils provide the base for the incredible concentration of flavor that the grapes from the Grist Vineyard showcase in the glass. We find this wine to be where power and elegance meet - a special offering of delicious bramble fruits, spicy aromas, and a full mouthfeel that is sure to please. A wine that beckons with aromas of tart cranberry, candied raspberry, baked cherry pie, candied orange peel, cured salami, clove, tingling wormwood, and hints of Chartreuse spices. The palate is equally alluring, with a lighter-bodied mouthfeel and grippy tannins headlined by flavors of orange blossom, black raspberry, fresh cranberry, dried leather, and alfalfa. A true Pinot lover’s Zinfandel.
Vineyard
Resting majestically 1000 feet above sea level at the top of Bradford Mountain, the Grist Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley is where we source our award-winning Zinfandel. The vineyard, planted in 1974, consists of red volcanic soils and receives lots of direct sunlight, which gives the grapes grown here mineral complexity and deceptive intensity. The property is owned and farmed by the Hambrecht. In order to ensure even ripening, which is difficult with Zinfandel, Warren regularly drops unripe clusters and maintains the crop production to a miserly two tons per acre, which ensures overall quality.
Winemaking
The grapes undergo temperature-controlled, native fermentation in stainless steel open-top tanks, receiving two punch downs per day. Barrel aging consists of 25% new French oak for 18 months.
Specs
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Clones: Hambrecht
Soil Types: Volcanic Boomer Loam
Farming: Practicing Organic
Years Planted 1974
Harvest Date: September 9th 2021
Brix: 26.2
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 8 Barrels, 200 Cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
2x 2019 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Raymond Burr Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
2x 2021 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Grist Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley Case:
6x 2021 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Grist Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
6x 2019 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Raymond Burr Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Price Comparison
Not all wines are for sale on winery website, $540/case MSRP
Owners: Micah Joseph Wirth and Adrian Jewell Manspeaker
Founded: 2006
Location: Forestville, CA
Joseph Jewell Wines was born in a garage in Windsor in 2006, when two good friends, Micah Joseph Wirth and Adrian Jewell Manspeaker, created their first wine, a Pinot Noir. The 2006 Pinot Noir crop in Northern California was a large one, and several vineyards had grapes to spare. Adrian and Micah considered several options, and finally sourced a ton of grapes from the Toboni Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. They invested in two French Oak barrels and a small basket press…and they were on their way to a successful first vintage, producing 50 cases of a full-bodied, rich Pinot Noir.
While they were washing out their barrels at the Gary Farrell Winery one day, they tossed around ideas for a name for their fledgling winery. They wanted something that represented them both, yet also had a connection to each of them individually. Combining their middle names, Joseph Jewell rolled off their tongues.
Joseph Jewell sources exceptional fruit from independently owned vineyard properties in Sonoma and Humboldt counties, selecting sites with unique soil profiles and weather conditions. Our goal is a finished wine that celebrates the singularity of the vineyard from which it came—the optimal expression of place captured vintage after vintage.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Joseph Jewell Mixed Zinfandels - $70 = 25.92%
Wine Access offered the 2019 Raymond Burr a while back and had this to say:
Dark ruby center with crimson reflections throughout the glass. Smashed blackberry and spiced plum on the nose, mingling with Mission fig, cinnamon stick, and wafts of licorice root. Dried herbs such as rosemary and sage are on the periphery, as sun-kissed berry patches flesh out the aromatics. The palate is plush and round, with a pleasing spice component that lingers on the finish. The warmth of Dry Creek Valley and the area’s proud lineage of Zinfandel production is all on display. Drink now–2030.
That WE review of 2021 Grist:
93 points. Redolent of fresh- crushed raspberry, sage and cocoa, this zippy Zin hits all the right notes. Fresh and electric on the palate, the wine leans more into its lively acidity than grippy tannin. The flavors of berry lemonade, blueberry jam, licorice and black pepper come across in waves. — Tom R. Capo 10/1/24
That might be about it…well if you poke around the winery website you’ll see Micah Joseph Wirth, mentioned above as an owner, left in 2021? Or thereabouts…who cares right? Ha!
Rat Erisire here! The 2019 Joseph Jewell Raymond Burr Vineyard Zinfandel found its way to our family Christmas celebration last night.
When opened, it has a gorgeous deep red garnet color and notes in the nose of oaked stone fruit and spice.
Great legs on this, and with an alcohol content of 14.5, that tracks.
In the mouth, this is lightly oaked with notes of florals, plum and cardamom spice, a nice glass, better when shared with loved ones over cheers.
This style of zinfandel is understated in a world of bold American zin, and while I love those, there’s a place for a lovely zin that’s a compliment to food rather than being the star of the show.
We held half the bottle for a dinner of pulled pork bbq, and while the traditional sauce over here is vinegary, I also tried it with a richer BBQ sauce as well. Vinegar is a tough match partner for wine, but the richer bbq sauce with the pork, and the pork alone were absolutely delicious with this zin.
At less than $17 a bottle, this is a solid price and I can absolutely recommend it. There’s a lot of tasty wine and pulled pork in my future!
2019 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Raymond Burr Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Winemaking
Specs
2021 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Grist Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not all wines are for sale on winery website, $540/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jan 12 - Tuesday, Jan 13
Joseph Jewell Mixed Zinfandels
4 bottles for $89.99 $22.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2019 2019 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Raymond Burr Vineyard
2021 Joseph Jewell Zinfandel, Grist Vineyard
I really liked the earlier vintage of Grist Vineyard. Almost opened my other bottle of it tonight, too!
@klezman Same producer?
@kaolis Yes, sorry, the 2017 vintage of the wine on offer from Grist. Very much the lighter and more complex style of Zin!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Joseph Jewell Mixed Zinfandels - $70 = 25.92%
Wine Access offered the 2019 Raymond Burr a while back and had this to say:
Dark ruby center with crimson reflections throughout the glass. Smashed blackberry and spiced plum on the nose, mingling with Mission fig, cinnamon stick, and wafts of licorice root. Dried herbs such as rosemary and sage are on the periphery, as sun-kissed berry patches flesh out the aromatics. The palate is plush and round, with a pleasing spice component that lingers on the finish. The warmth of Dry Creek Valley and the area’s proud lineage of Zinfandel production is all on display. Drink now–2030.
That WE review of 2021 Grist:
93 points. Redolent of fresh- crushed raspberry, sage and cocoa, this zippy Zin hits all the right notes. Fresh and electric on the palate, the wine leans more into its lively acidity than grippy tannin. The flavors of berry lemonade, blueberry jam, licorice and black pepper come across in waves. — Tom R. Capo 10/1/24
That might be about it…well if you poke around the winery website you’ll see Micah Joseph Wirth, mentioned above as an owner, left in 2021? Or thereabouts…who cares right? Ha!
fwiw
CT scores the Raymond Burr at 86 based in 1 review but when you read the review it is scored as a 92 - am I missing something?
@ctmariner
two reviews, the second rated 80.
Your settings my be quashing notes lacking textual content and only a number.
@rjquillin OK - thanks. Are you able to see when the score of 80 was posted?
@ctmariner
6/12/2025 - moraditalia wrote: 80 Points
@rjquillin Thanks - conflicting scores from the same year!
@ctmariner different palates
Rat Erisire here! The 2019 Joseph Jewell Raymond Burr Vineyard Zinfandel found its way to our family Christmas celebration last night.
When opened, it has a gorgeous deep red garnet color and notes in the nose of oaked stone fruit and spice.
Great legs on this, and with an alcohol content of 14.5, that tracks.
In the mouth, this is lightly oaked with notes of florals, plum and cardamom spice, a nice glass, better when shared with loved ones over cheers.
This style of zinfandel is understated in a world of bold American zin, and while I love those, there’s a place for a lovely zin that’s a compliment to food rather than being the star of the show.
We held half the bottle for a dinner of pulled pork bbq, and while the traditional sauce over here is vinegary, I also tried it with a richer BBQ sauce as well. Vinegar is a tough match partner for wine, but the richer bbq sauce with the pork, and the pork alone were absolutely delicious with this zin.
At less than $17 a bottle, this is a solid price and I can absolutely recommend it. There’s a lot of tasty wine and pulled pork in my future!
Happy holidays, you filthy animals.
This is intriguing - winery and additional participation would help push me over the edge! Love zins and the case price is enticing.
@ctmariner
A second Rat Reporting would also be beneficial.
@rjquillin agreed - that it is what I meant to say about additional participation - I omitted the word “rat”
I already purchased but am wondering where the second rat is too.