2020 Blasi Zinfandel

Vibrant black cherry and strawberry on the nose. Juicy red raspberry on the palate with notes of fresh sage and toffee. Elegant, fine-grained tannins with a refreshing finish. MB (1/22)

This wine comes from a small, old vine vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation. Warm inland temperatures are moderated by the cooling influence of the nearby Russian River Valley. Harvested in one day on September 17, redolent zinfandel fruit is complemented by ample natural acidity. Enjoyable as a young wine, this exceptional zinfandel will age for a further five to six years. JO (11/21)

Gary Blasi has been farming the 120 year-old head-trained vines at this small vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation for over forty years on a handshake agreement with owner Jim Metcalfe. This is the fifth time the wine has been labeled with Gary’s name to credit his many years of meticulously farming this classic vineyard.

Rainfall: 21.2 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Late May
Weather: Rains in March and April helped the vines get through the summer.

Harvest Date: 17 September
Grapes: Average Brix 23.1˚
TA: 5.15 g/L
pH: 3.82
Fermentation: Natural primary and secondary fermentation
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (10% new, 15% one year-old, 30% three years-old, 20% four years-old and 25% five years-old).
Aging: Twelve 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;tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 49 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: 93 Points “Sourced from this vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation of Sonoma County, this reveals bramble notes with bright Bing cherry, summer sausage and wintergreen tones on the nose. The texture imparted is insanely good as rich red fruit flavors collide with minerals, dusty soils and the seamless texture. Drink 2022-2035.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2022)

Wine Enthusiast: 92 Points + Cellar Selection “This firm-textured, full-bodied wine from the Metcalfe Vineyard wraps abundant tannins around vivid blackberry and raspberry flavors for great balance and an appetizing texture. It’s made for rich food and should improve through at least 2028.” -Jim Gordon

Vinous: 90 Points “The 2020 Zinfandel Blasi is an absolute delight. Crushed red berry fruit, wild flowers, mint, orange peel and white pepper give the 2020 an attractive upper register to match its lithe, mid-weight personality. The 2020 is a real charmer. Drink it over the next handful of years.” -Antonio Galloni (May 2022)

Average Rating: 89.6

No. of Tasting Notes: 12

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