2023 Tectonic Zinfandel

Tasting Notes

We’re excited to reintroduce “Tectonic,” a beloved wine club favorite deeply rooted in Lava Cap’s history. The name “Tectonic,” referencing Earth’s crust and the powerful geological processes that shape it, pays tribute to our founder, David Jones, who played an instrumental role in establishing the theory of plate tectonics.

Originally launched as a Rhône-style blend, “Tectonic” was initially produced for just one vintage due to limited vineyard availability. In 2023, we were fortunate enough to secure additional vineyard sources, enabling us to revive the “Tectonic” name. Given Lava Cap’s enduring connection to geology and tectonics, we enthusiastically reintroduced the name, this time not as a single wine but as an entirely new series designed to highlight wines of exceptional character, depth, and age-worthiness.

The Tectonic Series features barrel selections chosen specifically for their remarkable structure, expressiveness, and complexity. These selections may come from our estate vineyards or from trusted vineyard partners, allowing us to bottle and showcase distinctive lots individually.

Vineyard Notes

The 2023 Tectonic Zinfandel is an equal blend from two exceptional vineyard sites we’ve sourced fruit from for many years—one located in Camino at 3,000 feet elevation, and the other in Fairplay at 2,400 feet. The organically farmed Camino vineyard, rooted in deep volcanic soil, was harvested first, delivering vibrant acidity and stunning aromatics of fresh fruit and brambleberry. Approximately a month later, we picked the Fairplay site, characterized by warmer temperatures and well-draining granitic soils, yielding tiny berries rich with concentrated, ripe fruit.

Winemaker Notes

Throughout barrel aging, these two vineyard lots stood out distinctly, each showcasing intense aromatics and impressive structure marked by bright acidity and deep, layered tannins. When trialing the blend, we were particularly struck by how beautifully the expressive aromatics of Camino complemented the dense, fruit-driven character of Fairplay. Aged in 100% French oak barrels (30% new), this wine represents the inaugural release of our new “Tectonic Series,” which highlights special barrel selections from our
favorite vineyards. It promises graceful aging for years to come and pairs superbly with grilled meats—especially Tri-Tip.