2022 Asa Nisi Masa

Philosophy
the name Asa Nisi Masa holds several meanings:
● a nod to the 1963 Italian surrealist comedy-drama film directed by Federico Fellini, called 8 1⁄2. In the film, there is a fictional secret language that adds -sa and -si to the end of syllables. Asa Nisi Masa is ‘Anima’ with this language game applied to it.
● Anima means ‘soul’ in Italian. Asa Nisi Masa represents the soul of Mari Vineyards—utilizing red wine grapes that are unexpected for our region.
● a reference to the blend: Asa = Schioppettino, Nisi = Nebbiolo, Masa = Malbec

Flavor Notes
The 2022 vintage opens with a cinnamon roll nose wrapped in red cherry and cranberry. A brightly textured palate is balanced by deeper flavor notes of fig and date and mouth coating tannins.

Pairings
We recommend pairing with dishes that will compliment flavors in the wine, such as bacon wrapped figs, goat cheese, and roasted spiced nuts.

Vinification
The Malbec and Schioppettino were harvested on October 24th, 2022, with the Nebbiolo following on October 25th. All three grapes were fermented in open top bins separately with punch downs by hand. We pressed the Malbec and Schioppettino on November 15th into neutral hogshead barrels, and pressed the Nebbiolo on November 28th into neutral barrique barrels. The wine went through malolactic fermentation and aged on its lees for 15 months before blending on March 20th, 2024 and bottling on June 19th.

Cellaring
This vintage is ready to enjoy now with the potential to age through 2030.