Linne Calodo unveils 2022 vintage of Problem Child

– Linne Calodo has introduced the 2022 vintage of its zinfandel-driven blend, “Problem Child.” The Paso Robles winery, known for its innovative blends, continues its long tradition of crafting wines that highlight the region’s heritage.

The 2022 Problem Child, sourced from the Willow Creek District, is priced at $88 and features a blend of 65% dry-farmed zinfandel, 14% carignan, 12% mourvèdre, and 9% syrah. Owner and Winemaker Matt Trevisan said that the blend is designed to enhance zinfandel’s natural characteristics. “Dry-farmed zinfandel from the Willow Creek District tends to be ripe and high in acidity, which makes for this lively, delicious wine that can be made even better by a supporting cast of other grape varieties,” Trevisan said. “The goal is to make a wine that is unmistakably zinfandel, but with the extra dimension and bass notes that can only come from blending.”

Linne Calodo was established in 1998 by Trevisan and his wife Maureen, focusing on blends that helped spark the Rhône-style blend movement in Paso Robles. The winery has also championed zinfandel-driven blends, reflecting the region’s history, where zinfandel has been a mainstay since the 1800s.

Trevisan noted that, at the time, there was a perception in California and the U.S. that varietal wines were superior to blends. However, he observed that many varietal wines were being manipulated through various techniques to achieve a certain structure. “I figured that I could do better by blending,” Trevisan said.

The 2022 Problem Child comes from two estates in the Willow Creek District: Heaton Vineyard and Linne Calodo’s Stonethrower Vineyard. The zinfandel grapes are sourced from head-trained, dry-farmed vines, a traditional method in Paso Robles. The name “Problem Child” reflects the zinfandel grape’s challenging nature, requiring patience in both the vineyard and the cellar.

Linne Calodo recently acquired the historic Cherry Vineyard, a 2.5-acre dry-farmed zinfandel site that produces just a half-ton of fruit per acre. This vineyard is the source of znfandel for Linne Calodo’s “Cherry Red” blend, which dates back to the winery’s inaugural vintage in 1998. The first release of Problem Child followed in 2001, and both wines have consistently featured zinfandel with varying supporting grapes.

Trevisan frequently blends zinfandel with Rhône varietals such as Syrah and Mourvèdre to achieve balance. “I look for syrah and mourvèdre to bring balance to this very exuberant wine. Syrah adds mid-body, while mourvèdre brings an earthy character that cuts against the fruitiness and cinches it all together,” he said. Other varieties, including carignan and tempranillo, may also be used in these blends, depending on the vintage. “It’s more feel than formula,” Trevisan said. “Each year the zinfandel tells us what it needs, and we blend accordingly.”