2018 Rosa Fierro Cellars Zinphony – A Symphony of Flavors
Rosa Fierro Cellars
Rosa Fierro opened Rosa Fierro Cellars in 2014 and recently left her full time job and career as a legal assistant to concentrate 100% on the winery. “Rosie” as she is called, had worked in tasting rooms, made port in her garage and eventually worked with many of Livermore’s better winemakers at a production facility in Livermore. The winery is 100% woman owned and operated with women staff. Rosie specializes in hand crafted, limited production wines. Her grapes come from both Livermore and Napa Valleys and other select areas. One of the key points of making wine was instilled in her to work in the vineyards to select the best grapes. Each varietal is limited to 50-200 cases each. Those wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay (both oaked and unoaked versions), Merlot, a Rosé (from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes), Zinfandel, Primitivo, a Red Blend and her latest being the Cabernet Franc. Her total production is approximately 1,000 cases. She has won many awards in a relatively short time. The tasting room is located at 2245 South Vasco Road, Livermore. The backgrounds on her and her staff on the website are especially creatively done! Rosie’s other passion is photography and her pictures adorn each unique label.
2018 Rosa Fierro Cellars Zinphony
This wine is from Sophia Favalora Vineyards in Oakley in Contra Costa County. This is her first vintage using these grapes as previously she used a Livermore vineyard. First on the eyes, a very deep color and medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose soft floral notes with scents of raspberry and blueberry. On the palate, this Zinphony comes to life, like Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, with soft spice notes of vanilla and cinnamon. This coupled with fruit tastes makes the presentation of the wine, rounded and soft as Rosie mentioned to me her view of “feminine”. The finish was mid-length and beckoning yet another sip. This was essentially a dry Zinfandel but with a “sukoshi” of the fruit providing flavor but not sweetness. This is not your fruit bomb Zinfandel, it is dry, structured and on point as a flavorful representation of tried and true California Zinfandel. The wine was in both American and French barrels and only 50 cases produced. Today it is available for wine club members only.
The Food and Wine Pairing
A fabulous food pairing was prepared with Zinphony last night by Susan Kelly. Sliced smoked chicken sausage with habanero and green chili and whole grain penne pasta. The dish was prepared using garlic, white wine, small amount of chicken broth, sliced white onion and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Lightly sautéed broccoli was added and topped off with a combination of Parmesan, Romano and Asiago shaved cheeses. The warmth of the meal was complimented with the fruit of the Zinphony for a wonderful meal. The second glass was also enjoyed after dinner and provided a deeper peak into the depth of the structure and flavors of this Zinfandel.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 