2021 Blasi Zinfandel

Nose of juicy blackberry, rose petal, anise, and a hint of peach. Medium bodied with pleasant tannins and notes of blueberry, dark chocolate, thyme and stone fruit that persist on the palate. SR (1/23)

These old vines, planted one-hundredtwenty years ago, are owned by Jim Metcalfe and have been cared for by Gary Blasi for over forty-five years. Mild summer weather slowed ripening, extending time on the vine, and allowing full flavor and refreshing acidity to develop. This fine zinfandel is enjoyable young and will continue to evolve over the next five years. SR (1/23)

Gary Blasi has been farming this old-vine 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: 14 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: A dry winter and spring stressed the vines, limiting yields and concentrating flavors.

Harvest Date: 25 September
Grapes: Average Brix 23.7˚
TA: 5.33 g/L
pH: 3.79
Fermentation: Natural primary and secondary fermentation
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (7% new, 29% four years old, and 64% five+ years old).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

All Blasi estate grown 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, 82 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.

OwenBargreen.com: 94 Points “The 2021 Blasi has 3% Petite Sirah blended in, as this comes from the Metcalf Vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation. Juicy raspberry and red cherry notes combine with toasty oak, and shades of mulling spices. The palate is soft and refined with serious elegance. A core of rich red fruits greet you alongside light tannins and rocky and orange zest undercurrents on the palate. Give this an hour of air before consuming. Drink 2023-2035.” -Owen Bargreen (October 2023)

Zinfandel Chronicles: 93 Points “Crimson in color. From Metcalfe Vineyard in the Chalk Hill area of Sonoma County. The vines date back 120 years. Pretty nose of red fruits, citrus and earth. Medium body with perfect acidity. Claret style Zinfandel packed with tart fruits. Cherry, blood orange, earth and pepper on the palate. Really nice length on the finish. Delicious Zinfandel that should really appeal to those of you who yearn for Zinfandel that shows elegance and restraint. Best over next 5-7 years.” -Tom Lee (September 2023)

Vinous: 92 Points “The 2021 Zinfandel Blasi is bright, nervy and super-expressive. Red cherry fruit, pomegranate, rose petal, spice and a kick of blood orange all run through this wonderfully vibrant, mid-weight Zinfandel. I especially admire the energy here. Best of all, the Blasi offers tons of vintage 2021 character, but can also be enjoyed pretty much upon release.” -Antonio Galloni (October 2023)

Wine Enthusiast: 92 Points “Aromas of spearmint, cola and cocoa lead to warm, broad flavors of dark plums, mulled cherries and baking spices. This wine is soft in tannins and acidity, medium in body and ready to pair with barbecue and dried cheeses.” -Jim Gordon (November 2023)

Wine & Spirits: 90 Points “From 120-year-old vines farmed by Gary Blasi for more than a third of that time, this is a warm, super-ripe zin, grapey and austere, the flavors edging toward prune. There are layers underneath, needing a few years to show themselves more directly.” -J.G. (March 2024)

Average Rating: 91.5

No. of Tasting Notes: 4

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