Download 2012 MIA MADRE – INAUGURAL RELEASE The Wine: Focused

2012 MIA MADRE – INAUGURAL RELEASE
The Wine:
Focused, bold and complex, this very special blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and
Cabernet Franc proved worthy of the endearment, “Mia Madre.” It exudes exotic aromas of cinnamon bark,
blackberry, vanilla and espresso bean that lead to a vibrant entry of ripe black plum and licorice. Densely
layered with lifting acidity, the sumptuous mid-palate delivers freshly picked blackberry, dark cocoa, crème de
cassis and crushed violets. Framed by sweet fine grained tannins, the wine finishes long and
luscious with lingering black fruit, flowers and toasted oak. The wine’s depth, drive and
structure will allow it to age beautifully over the next 10-15 years.
The Vineyard:
The inaugural 2012 ZIATA “Mia Madre” Red Wine is blended from four of Napa’s top
vineyards. We partnered with top growers: Saunders in Oakville, Stags Leap, Viña Esperanza
in Calistoga and Farella-Park in Coombsville. Distinctive fruit— from ridge top to valley
floor—ensured a symphonic blend.
The Growing Season:
“Classic” and “perfect” are just two accolades bestowed upon the 2012 Napa Valley growing season and
harvest. Textbook conditions saw near-ideal spring bud break, steady flowering, even fruit set, and a lengthy
stretch of warm days and cool, often foggy, nights during the summer months. Late and light rains held off
until Napa Valley’s wine grapes reached optimal ripeness, bringing exceptional quality to the crush pad and
into the cellar. The abundance of perfectly ripe grapes this year—with their smooth balance of acids and
sugars—provided an even broader sweep of opportunities for winemakers to cull only the most select fruit.
The Facts:
Appellation:
Blend:
Production:
Aging:
Alcohol:
Fermentation:
Stag’s Leap, Oakville, Coombsville, Calistoga
50% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
125 Cases
80% New French oak barrels, 22 months
14.9%
Small lot, hand punched down
About ZIATA:
In 2008, after 20 years of marketing Napa Valley and its wines, Karen Cakebread launched her own project
with three core varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, which she chose for their foodfriendly qualities. She named the winery ZIATA in honor of her mother, Mary Annunziata and hired Anne
Vawter, a protégée of Heidi Barrett, as winemaker.
In keeping with Karen’s love of the environment and belief that efforts made in the vineyard create better
wine than those manipulated in the cellar, ZIATA wines are crafted from grapes sourced exclusively from
sustainable sources. The end result is wines of unquestionable integrity that truly express the terroir from
which they come
ZIATA WINES - PO BOX 407 - CALISTOGA, CA. - 94515 - T: 707.942.5779 www.ziatawines.com