2022 Mancini Ranch

Aromas of red plum, dusty strawberry, and purple flowers. A bright and fresh entry with a medium body. Flavors of Bing cherry, rhubarb, and plumcot. Well-structured mid-palate tannins with firm acidity make for a balanced, age-worthy wine. TG (8/23)

The Russian River Valley is known for its cooler micro-climate, which provides this one-hundred-year-old vineyard with the consistent quality and distinct character of an exceptional terroir. Planted to carignane and zinfandel, the vineyard has been meticulously farmed by Max Reichwage since 2015. Fresh red fruit gives this wine an immediate appeal, even in its youth. Its bright acidity will assure six or seven years of graceful aging. TG (9/23)

Luca Mancini planted this 15-acre vineyard between 1922 and 1924. It is located west of Santa Rosa at the corner of Olivet and Piner Roads. While it consists mostly of zinfandel vines, there is also a significant portion of carignane where we source our fruit. The cool summers of the Russian River Valley add to the distinct acidity associated with carignane. Fruit, nut, and oak trees are interspersed in the the vineyard, making it a very special vineyard.

Rainfall: Over 23 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Mid May
Weather: 2022 was the third year of drought. Thankfully, we received spring rains that helped the vines. These same rains caused shatter in our zinfandel, reducing their crop. Two heat spells pushed the vines to another early harvest.

Harvest Date: 15 September
Grapes: Average Brix 24.6˚
TA: 6.61 g/L
pH: 3.4
Fermentation: 100% de-stemmed and crushed fermentation
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (7% new, 29% one year old, and 64% three years old).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested grapes fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring malolactic bacteria; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 68 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

JamesSuckling.com: 93 Points “A field blend from old vines, 61% carignan, 32% zinfandel and 7% alicante bouschet. Very fresh, well-balanced, even crunchy, with focused berries and black plums on a broad texture and full body. Drink or hold.” -Jim Gordon (May 2024)

JebDunnuck.com: 92 Points “From the Russian River Valley in Sonoma, the 2022 Mancini Ranch checks in as a Carignan-dominated blend that includes 32% Zinfandel and 7% Alicante Bouschet. It has an almost Châteauneuf du Pape-like bouquet of ripe red and black cherries, peppery garrigue, and leather, and it shows plenty of Zinfandel spice and sandalwood notes with time in the glass. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, with ripe, polished, yet present tannins, this upfront, total charmer will drink brilliantly through 2032.” -Jeb Dunnuck (August 2024)

Wine Enthusiast: 92 Points “Dried raspberry, strawberry and chocolate-malt aromas waft from the glass of this field blend of Zinfandel and Carignane from 100-year-old vines. The palate gives flavors of juicy cherry, fresh raspberry, mint and cocoa powder before a finish that balances between grippy tannin and mouthwatering acidity.” -Tom Capo (November 2024 Issue)

The Wine Advocate: 91 Points “The 2022 Mancini Ranch comes from vines planted around 1920. It’s composed of 61% Carignane, 32% Zinfandel and 7% Alicante Bouschet and was matured in about 10% new American oak. The nose is unabashedly fruity with scents of wild berry jam and cherry preserves accented by touches of prosciutto, raisin and toasted coconut. The medium-bodied palate features a moderately concentrated core of berry fruit that’s ripe but not overly dense or weighty. It’s framed by dusty tannins and mouthwatering acidity and has a long, berry-laced finish.” -Erin Brooks (September 2024)

Vinous Media: 90 Points “The 2022 Mancini Ranch is 61% Carignane, 32% Zinfandel and 7% Alicante Bouschet from the Russian River Valley. It opens with heaps of prominent sappy fruit, but the oak is not exactly falling in line today, instead presenting as if it’s totally separate from the wine. A little angular on the finish, this isn’t the most well-adjusted offering in the lineup of Ridge 2022s, albeit exuberant.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

Average Rating: 89.4

No. of Tasting Notes: 5

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