2018 Mancini Ranch

Intense cherry pepper aromas followed by a medium weight palate with bright acidity, strawberry, fig fruit and a clean lingering finish. JO (4/20)

This old vines vineyard in the Russian River Valley is a field blend of carignane and zinfandel. The grapes ripen slowly and at lower sugar levels due to the region’s cooler climate. This retains the natural acidity of the wine and contributes to its unique character. After rain in early October, warm weather returned and we picked on October 12 at perfect ripeness. This elegant wine will evolve over the next six years.

Our first vintage from the Mancini Ranch was 2017. The vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley, and, unique to this region, planted substantially to carignane. The section of the vineyard that we harvest for our Mancini bottling also contains small amounts of zinfandel, alicante bouschet, grand noir, and some white varieties. The low yielding old vines are all head trained and dry farmed.

Rainfall: 30 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Late May
Weather: The growing conditions in 2018 were almost perfect; a long growing season with no major heat or cold spells.

Harvest Dates: 12 October
Grapes: Average Brix 22.4˚
TA: 6.47 g/L
pH: 3.45
Fermentation: Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; once-daily pump-overs; pressed at ten days.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (10% one year-old, 90% 3-5 years-old).
Aging: Ten months in barrel

Hand harvested grapes; indigenous yeast; naturally occurring malolactic bacteria, oak from barrel aging; minimum effective SO2. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Vinous Media: 94 Points “Carignane takes center stage in the 2018 Mancini Ranch. Bright red fruit, flowers, mint and sweet spice are some of the many notes that grace the 2018. Silky and medium in body, with striking finesse, the Mancini Ranch has so much to give. Time in the glass brings out a touch of gaminess as the wine turns delicate with a bit of aeration. In this tasting, the Mancini Ranch is simply tremendous. It’s also a great example of the year in the Russian River.” -Antonio Galloni (September 2020)

Average Rating: 90.8

No. of Tasting Notes: 7

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