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This vineyard has sweeping sun exposures from southeast to northwest and sits at nearly 1,200-feet in elevation. It has nine distinct blocks of Zinfandel and each is harvested at different times and fermented separately to ensure the integrity and uniqueness of each block. The varied sun exposures, soil compositions, slopes and drainages make these sites a winemaking dream come true and are what make our Rockpile Ridge Zinfandel so spectacular.
Our 2022 Rockpile Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel exudes rich aromas of warm baked blackberry cobbler, black fig drizzled in balsamic, crushed sassafras and sweet earthen spice with lingering notes of cola berry. The entry is driven by ripe juicy dark fruits, a firm core of mountain tannins and lingering flavors of spice. This Zinfandel will be even more fabulous with 1-2 hours of aeration. Enjoy over the next 10-12 years.
59% Cabernet Sauvignon 14% Petit Verdot 12% Merlot 9% Malbec 6% Cabernet Franc
The 2022 growing season proved itself challenging with the lack of rainfall and above average growing temperatures. We made each farming through the lens of maintaining vine stamina for the big push at the tail end of the growing season. We also did less leaf plucking to encourage a greater degree of dappled sunlight impacting the grapes via less leaf plucking, preserving freshness and detail in the grapes. Our experience growing on the ridgelines of Rockpile continues to prove to us that mother nature delivers weather events there that magnify the valley floor experiences, so having a keen eye for detail and a devotion for preparation helps us to buffer any extremes.
This multi-layered Bordeaux blend walks a fine line between the expected ripeness of a dry, warm growing season and the freshness that is the hallmark of our wines. Intriguing aromas of red cassis, licorice, cured meats, dried lavender, cigar wrapper and shavings of dark cacao are prominent. While it’s generous on the palate, both in its fruit layers and richness, this wine ultimately represents a rare glimpse into the softer side of Rockpile, and should be cherished over the next 2 to 12 years.
Recognizing the limited water in the soil heading into the start of the 2022 growing season, we gave meticulous attention to irrigation practices so that resources would still be available long into the season. Having water to irrigate the vines during their last big push allowed us to slow the progression of ripening, resulting in Pinot Noirs that maintained integrity, freshness and balance. Initially shy on the nose, with aeration this beautiful Pinot Noir wine reveals intricately woven aromas of young lilac blossom, Santa Rosa plum flesh and exotic East Asian spices. On the entry, fresh ripe pomegranate and Rainer cherry dominate. These red fruits are complemented by a mid-palate sweetness of sweet forest floor, black tea leaf and hints of sassafras. Beautifully structured, this Pinot Noir will drink beautifully over the next 5-8 years. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.