2022 Bismark Petite Sirah Méthode Carbonique 750ml
2022 HANNA Bismark Petite Sirah, Moon Mountain District, 92 POINTS, Wine Enthusiast - The softer character from the carbonic maceration used to make this wine is quite charming. Red raspberry and coffee aromas mingle with the classic plum and blueberry notes on the nose, while the palate exhibits textbook tannin, power and length. Grab a grilled ribeye and get to work.
Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is in the Moon Mountain District Sonoma County appellation, high above the town of Sonoma and the San Pablo Bay. We began planting in 1991 and continue to fine tune our mix of cultivars to this day. This is steep ground; shared with Creosote bush, grey pine, coyote, and mountain lion. Topographically it is like the Douro. Windy, sun drenched yet moderate in temperature, Bismark grudgingly produces grapes with an intense, deeply concentrated flavor. Bismark’s volcanic terroir is unmistakably captured in its wines. Petite Sirah: this small block of 746 vines was grafted in 2000 with budwood collected from the Eagle Point Ranch near Ukiah.
Bismark Vintage 2022: October 2021 brought an atmospheric river event that recharged the soil profile after several years of drought. This led to an even bud break – later than 2021 - strong early growth and a moderate crop. Summer of 2022 was ideal, consistently warm with no heat events until after the Petite Sirah was harvested. The grapes were harvested from block 9A on August 31, 2022 at 22.9 Brix, a TA of 0.68 g/100 mL and pH of 3.46.
Winemaking: The grapes were conveyed directly to a CO2 filled tank for Carbonic Maceration followed by pressing and inoculating after ten days on the skins. We fermented it cold to retain freshness. It was aged for eight months on the lees in 14% new, 86% neutral oak prior to early bottling to preserve the fermentation character.
A Note on this wine: This wine is not about place per se. This is the third vintage in which we used the ancient technique of Carbonic Maceration which confers a softness, and a signature aroma very different than Saccharomyces yeast mediated fermentation.
Tasting Notes: The tasting notes from the ‘21 Petite Sirah are a hard act follow, but it’s not because this wine is any less exuberant! The ‘22 is once again a hedonists’ delight and the panel gushed accordingly. Exotic aromas of black strap and pomegranate molasses, blueberry compote, Hoisin and cherry vanilla cola vie for fore. By mouth it is bright, seamless, tanninless, heatless, and the long finish is effortless. Elegantly dry, this one begs for summer drinking. (Tasted 5-15-24)
Variety
100% Petite Sirah
Vineyard Location
Bismark Mountain block 9A Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
Age of Vines 29 years
Alcohol 13.7%
pH 4.09
Residual Sugar 0.0%
Titratable Acidity (TA) 0.47 g/100 mL
Harvest Date August 31, 2022
Length/Type of Aging
Aged 8 months on lees in 14% new French (Colbert), 86% neutral barrels
Bottling Date June 28, 2023
Number of Cases 159
Vegan