2022 Blasi Zinfandel

Strawberry, cherry and leather on the nose. Medium-bodied with minerality, showing its Chalk Hill terroir. SR (7/24)

Moderate summer weather and drought conditions allowed the smaller crop to develop full flavor and balanced acidity. This vineyard is characterized by its soil, chalky white volcanic ash, and slightly warmer location in the Chalk Hill appellation. An ideal place to grow flavorful zinfandel, this lovely wine is enjoyable now and will continue to develop over the next six years. SR (1/24)

Gary Blasi has been farming this old vines vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation for over forty years on a handshake agreement with owner Jim Metcalfe. This wine has been labeled with Gary’s name to credit his many years of meticulously farming this classic vineyard.

Rainfall: 23 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: A dry winter and spring stressed the vines, limiting yields and concentrating flavors.

Harvest Date: 10 September
Grapes: Average Brix 24.7˚
TA: 6.79 g/L
pH: 3.82
Fermentation: Natural primary and secondary fermentation
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (7% new, 29% four years old, and 64% five-plus years old).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

All Metcalfe Vineyard grapes, hand-harvested; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 109 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.

Zinfandel Chronicles: 94 Points “Gorgeous nose of red fruits, licorice, peach and citrus. Medium body with perfect acidity. Packed with plush, rich fruits. Impeccable balance. Cherry, raspberry compote, blood orange and white pepper on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Definitely and up and coming Zinfandel in the Ridge portfolio. Best over the next 4-6 years” -Tom Lee (August 2024)

OwenBargreen.com: 94 Points “The 2022 ‘Blasi’ Zinfandel has a touch of Petite Sirah blended in. Fresh herbs and bright red fruits combine with citrus peel and cardamom on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with good elegance and richness. Showing beautifully right now, this will continue to evolve well for at least another decade. Drink 2024-2034.” -Owen Bargreen (October 2024)

JamesSuckling.com: 92 Points “Shows the pure, gorgeous fruitiness of zinfandel backed by light tannins and a bit of acidity to match the very full body. Effusive in strawberries and baked plums, rich in red and black cherries on the palate. Nice grip in the texture and a good, lingering finish. Only 3% petite sirah to complement the zinfandel. Drink or hold.” – (September 2024)

Vinous Media: 92 Points “Sourced from Metcalfe Vineyard on Chalk Hill in Sonoma County, the 2022 Zinfandel Blasi is a sensual, supple, rounded Zinfandel that is juicy and oh-so-charming from the start. Blueberry pie filling, blood orange juice, star anise and violet florals give this abundant aromatic vividness. The oak is hefty, but it makes things that much more supple.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

The Wine Advocate: 91 Points “Blended with 3% Petite Sirah, the 2022 Zinfandel Blasi has slowly unfurling, transparent scents of wild strawberries, graham cracker, underbrush and dried lilac. The light-bodied palate is mouthwatering and easy to drink. It offers elegant layers of sweet berry and earth, a supple texture and a long, layered finish. It becomes spicier and more expressive as it opens in the glass and will benefit from an hour in a decanter.” -Erin Brooks (September 2024)

JancisRobinson.com: 16.5 Points (out of 20) “Medium purple. Very sweet fruit to the nose – baked red plums with cinnamon and sticky-sweet blueberries. Warming and dense on the palate with heaps of sweet fruitand a touch of vanilla and spice from oak. Very rich. Drink 2024 – 2030.” -Samantha Cole-Johnson (December 2024)

Average Rating: 92

No. of Tasting Notes: 2

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