2022 Evangelho

Dark color spectrum with aromas of red and black fruits, brown spices, cinnamon and vanilla. Earthy undertones with umami characters of soy and cured meats. Soft and weighty entry with building mid-palate tannins complemented by crisp natural acidity makes for a long and pleasant finish. TG (1/24)

Decreased vine yields due to a dry winter coupled with sandy soils and windy conditions pushed these one-hundred-thirtyyear- old vines to ripen early. The carignane, zinfandel, and mataro, were fermented separately, assembled by taste, and barreled down for seventeen months. With dense fruit and vibrant acidity, this refined wine is enjoyable now and will further develop over the next eight years. TG (2/24)

Ridge produced its first wine from the Evangelho vineyard in 1990 and went on to produce small bottlings of mataro and zinfandel from this distinctive 1890s-era vineyard. The vineyard is located 50 miles east of San Francisco in Contra Costa County and is planted on an ancient alluvial sand bar at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. The cooling influence of the nearby San Francisco Bay along with the vineyard’s deep, sandy soils produce elegant wines with excellent natural acidity.

Rainfall: 6 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Late April
Weather: Spring rains brought some relief from the drought. Carignane yields were down 20%; zinfandel and mataro were off 40%. The vines grew well despite the lack of rain.

Harvest Dates: 19 & 25 August
Grapes: Average Brix 24.3˚
TA: 6.7 g/L
pH: 3.5
Fermentation: 100% natural primary and secondary fermentation; 100% floating cap.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (Appalachia); 20% one year old, 12% two years old, and 68% three years old.

Evangelho Vineyard 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; (35 ppm at crush, 134 ppm during aging). Pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

OwenBargreen.com: 96 Points “Coming from Costa County, the 2022 ‘Evangelho’ combines 55% Carignane with the remainder Zinfandel and Mataro. This shows spicy, savory and salty notes on the nose alongside pretty red florals and shades of menthol. The palate is rich and soft with a serious sense of nerve and seamless drinking experience. Showing no rough edges, this beautifully balanced and red fruit-driven blend will cellar well for another fifteen years. But why wait? Drink 2024-2039.” -Owen Bargreen (October 2024)

JamesSuckling.com: 93 Points “So ripe and full-bodied, drenched in baked fruit and accented by toast, earth and cedar notes. It’s quite bold, saturated and dense in blackberries, cooked cherries and dried blueberries on the palate. Made from 130-year-old vines of 55% carignane, 26% zinfandel and 19% mataro. Drink or hold.” (September 2024)

Vinous Media: 90 Points “A blend of 55% Carignane, 26% Zinfandel and 19% Mataro from a unique, distinctive site in Contra Costa County, the 2022 Evangelho is a soft, easygoing wine. Blood orange, mocha and lavender open with a wave of cooling acids, but it feels a bit washed out through the finish. Sweet American oak is particularly evident today.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

Average Rating: NR

No. of Tasting Notes: 1

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