The 2022 vintage is a great example of vineyard pedigree over vintage. Overall, 2022 was a good vintage but we had to navigate an early September heatwave, which is a formidable threat for this thin-skinned variety. Fortunately our 24 year-old Primitivo vineyard came through unscathed (little dehydrated grapes) and delivered one fo the best Zinfandel's in Unti history. This, along with our Benchland PetiteSirah made a full-bodied wine that is also juicy and perfectly balanced, aided by a touch of Barbera. It will age nicely over the next 3 to 5 years. Our Zin program has never been better.
Once again this Syrah comes entirely from our Creekside block, planted in 1998. The clone is from our original Benchland vineyard planted in gravelly, sandy loam that facilitates a balanced canopy and crop level. Additionally, this is the coolest microclimate within our 60 acres, adding a bright fruit compentent to the dark savory Syrah notes. While the 2022 vintage had some minor challenges in September (a heat wave followed by a light rain), you would never know from tasting this wine. Dark, deep and complex, this Syrah has the potential to age 5 to 8 years.
This Syrah comes from our oldest vineyard block located on our Benchland property. Planted in 1991, these vines produce small, thick skinned berries which provide distinct blackberry, bay leaf, cassis and savory flavors that are different from any of our other Syrah vineyard blocks. 2022 featured some early September heat which resulted in riper tannins, making this vintage easier to enjoy at an early stage. Rich, textured, and complex, this 2022 Benchland should age well over the next 3 to 5 years.
100% Sangiovese from vines planted in 2007 (65%) and 1992 (35%), all located on our Benchland property. It is Sangiovese Grosso, the clone used to make the renowned, full-bodied Brunello di Montalcino of Tuscany. The 2022 Sangiovese shows the vital importance vineyard/crop level management has to this variety. An early September heat wave gave us a bit more stress than '21, but we carefully managed the harvest to create dark, full-bodied Sangiovese that is quite Brunello-like. It is a reminder that sometimes it IS better to be good than lucky. The wine shows intense fruit with tannin structure that will age well for 5 to 8 years.
100% Sangiovese from ten rows on the west hillside of our steep terraced vineyard planted in 1992. It is far and away our best Sangiovese. The site exposure, clone (Sangiovese Grosso from Montalcino), vine age, and our management of crop level result in making this a classic full-bodied wine that is worthy of Brunello, both in depth and complexity, regardless of the vintage. A heat wave in early September resulted in a deeper concentration of fruit. One of our most age worthy wines (5 to 10 years), this 2022 West Terrace sets the bar for California Sangiovese.
Our Barbera comes from vines we planted in 1998 and 2018. 2022 was an excellent vintage for Barbera thanks to some warm weather in September. Winemaker Jason Valent says it his favorite Barbera since 2015. It has the classic dark color, exotic fruit, and bright acidity we've come to love about Barbera from Dry Creek Valley.
Segromigno is our homage to Italy's Rosso Piceno, which is a blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano. Our 2022 Segromigno shows why Sangiovese and Montepulciano are such compatible blending partners. The Sangiovese, from our Benchland property has bright cherry fruit and nice acidity. The Montepulciano, from vines we planted in 2007, provides body, texture and classic plum, cassis flavors. Segromigno is very Italian-like, and not surprisingly, it is one of our most popular wines.
Our 2022 Grenache comes from our Alban clone blocks planted in 1998. This clone has always produced very expressive aromas and solid structure, which is especially evident in 2022. We blended this intensely fruity Grenache with Syrah from our Benchland vineyard, planted in 1991. The wine shows that classic tension between being fruit forward and firm, similar to the better wine Rhone wines from Rasteau and Vacqueyras. It is showing well now, and will improve over the next 2 to 4 years.
Cuvée Foudre is our version of a full-bodied Rhone blend worthy of Chateauneuf Du Pape. Thanks to a naturally low crop set, the 2021 was a particularly strong vintage for Grenache. The blend is 60% Grenache from our Alban clone vines, 30% Syrah from clones 174 and 877, and 10% Mourvedre, all planted in 1998. It was aged in a 620-gallon foudre, which is neutral. I love this vintage because it is quintessential Unti - meaning it straddles the line between robust Rhone and etherial Burgundy. Who knew a Grenache blend could be so sophisticated? The '21 CF will improve over the next 3-4 years and last another 5.
"Offers verve and personality, with fragrant raspberry, garrigue, licorice and savory meat flavors that build detail and length on the finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2032." - Tim Fish
As always, this 2021 Syrah comes from our "Creekside" block located on the winery property. This site has well drained soils (loam with gravel and sand) that promotes well-balanced vine growth. In 2021, a low crop set resulted in one of our most concentrated Syrahs ever from this site. It features dark color, intense black and blueberry fruit, along with the classic spice and savory elements of Northern Rhone syrah. Like most of our '21 reds, this Syrah has the structure to age at least 8 to 10 years, but should begin to show well in a couple years. A real vin de garde!
Petit Frere is ordinarily our version of a Cotes Du Rhone The 2022 PF is much more full-bodied than almost any other vintage, thanks to it being 78% Syrah. It includes fruit from our Benchland vineyard, while the Mourvedre and Grenache are from the winery parcel. The Syrah has classic blackberry and cassis flavors in more fruit forward format than our other two Syrah bottlings. Both Mourvedre and Grenache add a nice touch of spice making it a classic CDR-style wine. Incredible value!
Very few California wineries take rosé as seriously as we do here at Unti. Since 2002, we have been making rosé from our estate grown, organically farmed Grenache and Mourvedre - the varieties used in the best Provencal rosé, Bandol. Our vines are now over 25 years-old, and in the cool 2023 growing season they produced a classic aromatic and full-bodied Rosé, with racy acidity. This 2023 is a perfect example of why our customers feel we make the most Provencal-like Rosé in California.
Estate grown Olio Di Oliva from our 150 + Tuscan varietals Leccino, Frantoio, & Pendolino. These are the same varietals grown in Segromigno Monte, home to the Unti family. These olives are hand-harvested by our family and vineyard crew, pressed to produce a fresh, spicy, extra virgin olive oil.
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