2022 Sonoma Valley "Rossi Ranch" Zinfandel
96% Zinfandel
4% Mixed Black Varieties (Petite Sirah, Peloursin, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, and Tannat)
While the organically farmed Rossi Ranch is a very warm location during the summer, it’s prone to frost in early spring. Hence, it’s usually pruned quite late. This delays bud break by a couple of weeks, thereby (hopefully!) avoiding any frost damage. The downside of this strategy? It pushes harvest out much later, increasing risk of rain. But in 2022, that proved to be an added benefit. The fruit was so far behind when the early September heatwave hit that it was essentially a non-issue. Picked on October 4th at 25.1 Brix, fermentation began on its own on the fourth day of cold soak. Twenty days on the skins and pressed to all French oak, 16% new. Unfined, unfiltered, and sadly, our final Rossi Ranch Zinfandel
Tasting Note:
Bright, medium-dark ruby-garnet. A positively effusive nose of red cherry and Damson plum with a savory note suggestive of fennel. The Rossi garrigue! Medium-full to full bodied, red and black cherry fruit explode on the palate leading to a deliciously long and gently tannic finish. Once again, a wine that aptly demonstrates how Sonoma Valley Zinfandels rely upon tannin for their framework versus Russian River Valley Zinfandels that rely upon acidity. A contender for the finest Rossi Ranch Zin we’ve ever produced, enjoy from 2026 through 2036. (MRO - 01/16/25)