2022 Rockpile

Nose of anise, raspberry and paté. Blackberry and well-coated tannins fill the palate, with notes of dark chocolate and black olive. SR (8/24)

Planted on steep slopes at 1200 feet overlooking Lake Sonoma, this vineyard receives plentiful sunlight. The vines were isolated from the vineyard that surrounds St. Peter’s Church in Cloverdale. The zinfandel and petite sirah were fermented independently and assembled by taste. Generous fruit, texture and minerality are hallmarks of the Rockpile appellation, especially when these two varietals are combined. Best over the next six years. SR (1/24)

Botticelli is a 60-acre mountain vineyard located around 1,200 feet above Lake Sonoma in the famous Rockpile appellation, which sits at the far western reaches of Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. The history of Rockpile is a rich one beginning with the Pomo tribe, pre-1850, which called the region ‘kabe-chana’, meaning place with many rocks. Throughout the early 1900s, the land was largely used for sheep ranches, and not until the creation of Lake Sonoma Reservoir in the 1980s, did the property truly emerge as the impressive grape growing region it is today. Shortly after, in 2002, the Rockpile AVA was established. The current owners, Arthur and Susan Biedermann, planted 10 acres of zinfandel and petite sirah in 1997. Due to an inversion layer originating from Lake Sonoma, Botticelli receives ample sunlight throughout the growing season and less fog than nearby regions, leading to the production of high quality wine grapes.

Rainfall: 30 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Mid May
Weather: A warm summer followed a cold, wet spring. Hot days and cool nights helped retain acidity and hastened ripening.

Harvest Dates: 6 – 12 September
Grapes: Average Brix 25.3˚
TA: 7.27 g/L
pH: 3.78
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed and crushed, pumped over a floating cap twice daily.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (11% new and 89% five+ years old).

Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested, grapes; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by a full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; water addition; tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 35 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: 94 Points “The 2022 Ridge ‘Rockpile’ Red Wine has a large portion of Petite Sirah (32%) blended in. Chocolate and roasted figs mark the palate, alongside good structure and depth, with boysenberry fruit and salty nuances. Delicious now, this has both the stuffing and finesse to cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2024-2038.” -Owen Bargreen (October 2024)

Vinous Media: 94 Points “The 2022 Zinfandel Rockpile is a blend of 68% Zinfandel and 32% Petite Sirah from Botticelli Vineyard in the far northern reaches of Sonoma County. It presents a lovely, sumptuous interplay of dark fruit and savory notes. Blackberry, black olive, tobacco, thyme, sage, blood orange and leather lead to a deftly balanced, deceptively mid-weight palate full of calibrated tart acidity and chewy Petite Sirah tannins. The balance here is nothing to shake a stick at. This is another standout in the Ridge stable this year.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

Zinfandel Chronicles: 93 Points “Sublime nose of black fruits, anise and pepper. Full bodied with medium acidity. Dark fruited and well balanced. Black cherry, blackberry, plums and pepper on the palate. The finish is silky smooth. The Petite Sirah is the hero here and this wine will certainly age well. Best over the next 6-8 years.” -Tom Lee (August 2024)

JamesSuckling.com: 93 Points “Zinfandel and petite sirah grapes bring a yin-yang effect to this big and tannic wine from one of the most remote corners of Sonoma County. 68% zin contributes generous, mouth-filling blackberries, plums and cherries, while 32% petite sirah darkens the color, adds grip to the texture and deep, dried blueberry flavors. Drinkable now, but best from 2029.” – (September 2024)

The Wine Advocate: 92 Points “The 2022 Rockpile is a blend of 68% Zinfandel and 32% Petite Sirah from the Botticelli Vineyard, where vines are planted at 1,200 feet of elevation overlooking Lake Sonoma. It has slowly blossoming scents of tar, blueberries, black cherries, graham cracker and forest floor undertones. The medium-bodied palate offers complex, layered flavors that range from sweet fruit to earth and spice. It has a softly chalky texture, mouthwatering acidity and a long, perfumed finish. It will benefit from a few years in bottle or some time in a decanter.” -Erin Brooks (September 2024)

JancisRobinson.com: 16+ Points (out of 20) “Medium ruby with a hint of purple. Immediately shows the third of Petite Sirah with savoury meaty notes laying on top of black fruit. Warming with elevated acidity and high levels of grippy tannin. Not quite as well integrated as the other Zin blends inthe line-up – could do with another year in bottle. Drink 2025 – 2030.” -Samantha Cole-Johnson (December 2024)

Average Rating: 89.2

No. of Tasting Notes: 5

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