Mount Peak Rattlesnake Zinfandel

Mount Peak Rattlesnake Zinfandel is a bold, full-bodied Sonoma County Zinfandel bottled at 15.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from the storied Rattlesnake Hill section of the Monte Rosso Vineyard, this expression earned 92 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate on its 2015 vintage and 91 points from Wine Spectator on its 2020 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.5%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Blend: Zinfandel with Petite Sirah  |  Producer: Mount Peak Winery (Gallo)

Production & Heritage

Mount Peak Winery was revived under the E. & J. Gallo umbrella, drawing fruit from one of Sonoma County's most celebrated vineyard sites. The Rattlesnake Zinfandel is sourced specifically from Rattlesnake Hill, the highest point of the Monte Rosso Vineyard, perched at nearly 1,300 feet along the spine of the Mayacamas Mountains — a site named for the rattlesnakes that live among the vines, coiling around and inside them at nightfall. The blend is predominantly Zinfandel (approximately 91%) with a portion of Petite Sirah (approximately 9%, varying by vintage) that adds structural depth and color. The wine ages for 14 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, building complexity without overwhelming the vineyard's natural intensity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark fruit leads immediately — ripe blackberry and black cherry followed by layers of licorice, black pepper, and a brambly, wild-berry undertone. Deeper in the glass, subtle cocoa dust and roasted herbal notes emerge, signaling the wine's oak maturation.

Taste: The entry is concentrated and fruit-forward, with plum and blueberry filling the initial palate. At mid-palate, flavors of cherry jam and fig develop alongside savory notes of smoked pepper and anise. The Petite Sirah component anchors the structure, adding grip and a dense, almost chewy texture that carries the fruit through to the peak.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering Sichuan pepper spice, dried licorice, and a trace of Provençal herbs. The oak influence adds a subtle vanillin sweetness that fades gradually into dry, brambly tannins.

How to Drink Rattlesnake Zinfandel

At 15.5% ABV, this Zinfandel benefits from 20 to 30 minutes of decanting to open up and soften its tannins; serve slightly below room temperature (around 62–65°F) for the best balance between fruit richness and spice. While primarily a wine for the table, it works well in a few wine-based preparations: a Zinfandel Sangria with blackberries and citrus, where its bold fruit holds up against added ingredients; a Kalimotxo riff for adventurous drinkers who want a full-bodied red as the base; or a classic Mulled Wine in cooler months, where the peppery spice and dark fruit amplify warming spices like cinnamon and star anise.

Best For

• Pairing with grilled or smoked meats at a weekend barbecue
• Gifting a Zinfandel enthusiast who appreciates high-elevation Sonoma wines
• Anchoring a bold red wine flight alongside Petite Sirah and Syrah
• Cellaring for 3–5 years to track the development of the Monte Rosso fruit

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rattlesnake Zinfandel taste like? It delivers concentrated blackberry, black cherry, and plum alongside savory notes of smoked pepper, licorice, and cocoa dust. The finish is long, warming, and driven by brambly tannins and baking spice.

How does Rattlesnake Zinfandel compare to Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel? Both are premium Sonoma County Zinfandels, but the Mount Peak Rattlesnake draws its character from a single high-elevation site on Monte Rosso at nearly 1,300 feet, giving it pronounced concentration and peppery intensity. Seghesio's Old Vine bottling typically blends fruit from multiple mature vineyard blocks across the Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley, offering a slightly broader, more approachable profile.

Is Rattlesnake Zinfandel good for sipping on its own? Yes — its layered dark fruit, spice complexity, and structured tannins make it well-suited for sipping after a brief decant, particularly for drinkers who enjoy full-bodied, high-ABV reds.

Where is Rattlesnake Zinfandel made? It is produced by Mount Peak Winery in Sonoma County, California, using fruit sourced from Rattlesnake Hill at the Monte Rosso Vineyard, which sits at nearly 1,300 feet along the Mayacamas Mountains between Sonoma Valley and the Moon Mountain District.

What foods pair well with Rattlesnake Zinfandel? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the wine's pepper and dark fruit complement charred, fatty meat. Aged cheddar or Gruyère, which echo the wine's savory depth. Lamb chops with a rosemary crust, as the herbal notes in the wine mirror the seasoning. Dark chocolate with a high cacao content, matching the cocoa and licorice undertones. Pizza with spicy sausage and roasted peppers, a classic Zinfandel pairing.

What sizes does Rattlesnake Zinfandel come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Rattlesnake Zinfandel worth the price? It positions as a premium Zinfandel, justified by its single-site sourcing from one of Sonoma's most historic and elevated vineyards, dual-oak aging program, and consistent critical scores in the 89–92 point range from major publications.

Why Rattlesnake Zinfandel?

The defining factor here is site specificity. Rattlesnake Hill sits at the peak of the Monte Rosso Vineyard, one of the oldest and most respected vineyard sites in Sonoma County, where altitude, volcanic soils, and intense sun exposure produce fruit of unusual concentration. The 14-month aging in both French and American oak adds structural balance without masking that mountain-grown intensity. Scores of 92 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate and 91 points from Wine Spectator across multiple vintages confirm its consistency. For drinkers seeking a Zinfandel with genuine terroir identity rather than generic ripeness, this bottling from the Mayacamas ridgeline stands apart.