Overview: Edizione Pennino Zinfandel pays tribute to Francis Ford Coppola’s maternal grandfather, Francesco Pennino. Born in Italy, Francesco emigrated to the United States as a young man and started a music publishing company known as “Edizione Pennino.” Our estate Zinfandel bears the music company’s logo in its original form and to add to the nostalgia, each vintage bottling has one of Pennino’s song titles imprinted on the cork. When Coppola purchased the Inglenook estate in 1975, it was recommended that he remove the Zinfandel vines, but because this varietal has Italian origins and has always been enjoyed by his family, he insisted the Zinfandel remain.
Tasting Notes: Voluminous and very well focused, the 2012 Pennino Zinfandel displays a high degree of spice as well as big, juicy flavors of plums, cherries, and red fruits that are beautifully offset by a bright, balsamic-like acidity. Nuances of ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon mingle with notes of Mexican chocolate. One may even detect a hint of cherry blossoms. Integrated tannins support the structure and there is a succulent mouthfeel with a long, satisfying mocha finish.
Vintage: 2012