2022 RAEN Release + Press
Earlier this month was the well anticipated release of RAEN’s 2022 Vintage, marking their 10th vintage release! True to form, these wines are already generating outstanding press and reviews:
“This is a superb set of 2022s from brothers Carlo and Dante Mondavi.” — Antonio Galloni
“Great examples are the recent releases from Carlo and Dante Mondavi at their winery, RAEN. James was impressed, to say the least, with the wines.” – JamesSuckling.com
2022 Freestone Occidental Bodega Vineyard Pinot Noir – 99pts JS, 96pts Vinous. 2022 Fort Ross-Seaview Sea Field Vineyard Pinot Noir – 98pts JS, 96pts Vinous
2022 Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Pinot Noir – 98pts JS, 94pts Vinous. 2022 Fort Ross-Seaview Charles Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay – 99pts JS, 96pts Vinous
2022 Sonoma Coast Lady Marjorie Chardonnay – 99pts JS, 91pts Vinous
2021 Passopisciaro Release
Vintage 2021
2021 vintage on the northern side of Mount Etna can be defined as “bizarre”. Between November and December 2020 we had some rains, even copious in some moments, which brought a discreet water reserve to the plants, especially in the vineyards facing east. This was great for the new vineyard in Contrada Montedolce planted during 2020 Spring.
Starting into the new year, there was a thermic swing between early January and mid-February with rains and even some snow that barely reached the highest vineyards (800/1000 m.) and then an odd heat until the end of February and the beginning of March. Spring surprises us with low temperatures until the end of May, making me “dream” of the seasonal regularity of past years. But it’s only a dream! Suddenly, with the arrival of June, Summer arrives.The vines, that were a bit late, explode now filling the valley and its splendid terraces with emerald green, going with rhythm towards flowering and fruit set. What a joy!!
Heat, heat and more heat lead us to manage the foliage like haute couture and to support the plants with generous irrigation at night. We don’t need to water the old and centuries-old Nerello Mascalese vines that are able to draw lifeblood from their complex and deep root system. Fiery sunrises and sunsets follow one another, catching the winegrower’s attention! Suddenly, the Chardonnay grapes were ready to be harvested after August 15th, we promptly started bringing to the cellar perfect and fragrant grapes, these grapes will produce a more intense and fragrant wine. We were waiting for the temperature drop and the moderate rains at the beginning of September and they finally arrived, allowing us to start red grapes harvest just before mid-October. Days of blue skies, cool and crystalline nights help us to carry out the several harvests of the red grape varieties with our usual style, thus creating red wines of perfect ripeness and goodbalance.
Vincenzo Lo Mauro
