Maitre de Chai - Zinfandel Stampede Vineyard Clement Hills 2022

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Planted in the 1920s, the Stampede Vineyard is an own-rooted Zinfandel parcel in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains within Lodi’s Clements Hills AVA. The Perlegos family impeccably farms this distinct piece of earth with soils comprised of decomposed granite. The vineyard overlooks the old southern embankment of the Mokelumne River on one side, and the Clements Stampede rodeo on the other. The wine was fermented with native yeast in a mix of open top, whole cluster and barrel fermentations. After 16 months in cask the wine was and bottled unfined and unfiltered with the minimum effective addition of sulfur.

The wine is a classic Zinfandel mix of fresh, ripe, and also dried red plum and raspberry. The tannins are present and driving, but not aggressive, well balanced by its fresh acidity, and a peppery finish.

Maitre de Chai Description

Maître de Chai (May-TRUH de Shay) translates to 'keeper of the cellar', or the person responsible for the development and aging of wine. By extension, the humble cellar master is the person responsible for the management of the winery. Established in 2012, Maître de Chai is the personal project of Marty Winters and Alex Pitts. Together they look to make wines of high quality in a way that best showcases the sense of place where the grapes are grown and the personality of the vineyard. From the ground to the bottle, the character of the wine is the focus. Winters and Pitts source grapes from unique and distinct single vineyards that are impeccably farmed in California.

As the name implies, these wines are cared for in the cellar. Firstly, Maître de Chai defers to nature and limits their intervention. Winters and Pitts taste and then wait, taste and then wait, allowing the wines to develop and speak for the places in which they are rooted.

Vinous: 93 Points

The 2022 Zinfandel Stampede Vineyard is fabulous. It is sourced from a site in Lodi planted in the 1920s. Pliant and supple, with gorgeous balance, the 2022 impresses right out of the gate. The combination of vibrant fruit and light to medium-bodied structure makes for an absolutely compelling Zinfandel. There is a purity to this wine that is so striking. The body and textural feel reminds me of wines from the 1950s and 1960s that I have tasted, naturally as mature wines.