2022 Sonoma Valley "Old Hill Ranch" Red Wine
100% Field blend of mostly Zinfandel along with 20 or more other varieties including Mollard and Persan
Old Hill... Truly a magical place and recently highlighted in the Wine Spectator as one of the greatest vineyards in the world. No matter what Mother Nature throws at it, the fruit is always superb, a reflection of all the love and TLC given to these 137-year-old vines by master grower Will Bucklin. While yields in 2022 were considerably more than in 2020 and 2021, they were still relatively modest at approximately 2 tons per acre. Picked September 12th. Twenty-five days on the skins. Pressed to all French oak, only 15% new. Unfined. Unfiltered. Unbelievably delicious.
Tasting Note:
Medium-dark ruby-garnet. Aromatically, quite dark and complex with scents of plum, blackberry, sage, thyme, black licorice, and freshly tilled earth. On the palate, full-bodied with the most incredible mouthcoating texture. Flavors of dark berry fruit and underbrush lead to a note of cinnamon in the youthfully tannic finish. If our Russian River Zins in this vintage are like young, playful puppies, this wine is more like a full-grown English Mastiff. Woof! Enjoy this complex and compelling wine from 2026 through 2036. (MRO - 01/16/25)