One of Sonoma’s great producers of Zinfandel wines, Bella relies on the talents of Director of Winemaking Ryan Schmaltz. Originally at Bella as a harvest intern in 2012, Schmaltz has earned a PhD in organic chemistry, which helps with learning about fermentation science. He soon took over Bella’s laboratory as Enologist and later became Assistant Winemaker. After serving as winemaker at Trattore he came back to Bella to be head winemaker.
Schmaltz relies on some choice sites, including their estate Lily Hill vineyard which is planted to old vine Zinfandel in the center of the Dry Creek Valley. This location is also home to Bella Winery. It was at this site that where Italian immigrant Adamo Micheli and his young son, Angelo, planted the first vines over 100 years ago in 1915.
The new wines by Bella were awesome across the board. I love the new 2019 Bella ‘Lily Hill Estate’ Zinfandel (OB, 92) which is unabashedly bold with really good nuance and bright acidity. Just as good is the outstanding 2019 Bella ‘Maple Vineyards’ Zinfandel (OB, 92) which is really dense with outstanding flavor range. Learn more about this outstanding Zinfandel house at https://www.bellawinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Bella releases.
2019 Bella ‘Lily Hill Estate’ Zinfandel- The Lily Hill Estate is located in the northwestern part of the Dry Creek Valley. The palate shows good structure and weight with layers of beautiful red fruits alongside bramble, green olives and fresh sage. Full-bodied and delicious, this is really good stuff to savor now. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2019 Bella ‘Maple Vineyards’ Zinfandel- This beautiful 2019 Zinfandel comes from the Maple Vineyards which is located in the Dry Creek Valley appellation, quite literally overlooking Dry Creek and is planted to old vine Zin. Juicy and nicely balanced, with bright underlying acidity, this offers weight and finesse, without being flabby. Sweet peach and juicy Yakima cherry flavors mingle well with wet stone on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next seven plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2022 Bella ‘Special Release Syrah + Grenache’ Red Wine- Mostly Syrah (70%) this offers bright minerality alongside red raspberry and pomegranate seed flavors that mingle well with red currants and citrus rind accents. Nicely textured, this is seriously good stuff. Drink 2023-2029- 92