Carlisle "Papera Ranch" Zinfandel 2021
(Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California) - [JD 96] [WS 95, #21 Top 100 of 2024] [VM 93-95]

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About the Winery:
Carlisle is a small Sonoma County winery specializing in the production of old-vine, vineyard designated Zinfandels and red Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah). They also produce three delicious white wines, two of which are blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma County's first ever Grüner Veltliner.

About this Wine:
Papera Ranch is a grande dame of the Russian River Valley, planted in 1934 by Celestino (Charlie) Papera. While many old-vine vineyards contain plenty of mixed black varieties, most of the blocks at Papera Ranch are 95+% Zinfandel. One block, however, does contain a significant amount of Carignan with a sprinkling of Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Valdiguié. Given its cool location, this is one of the winery's later Zinfandel vineyards to be picked. 

With normal yields of approximately 3.25 tons to the acre, Papera seemed oblivious to the lack of water in this drought year.  Picked in three passes between October 1st and October 6th, we opted to bleed off 7 to 12% of the juice from each tank to produce a more concentrated wine.  Also, since tank space was at a premium, it helped prevent the tanks we filled from overflowing during fermentation, something that is never fun to clean up!  Aged in all French oak, 21% new, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes:
Medium-dark ruby-garnet.  An intoxicating nose of raspberry, blood orange, Mission fig, and brown tobacco leaf.  Totally captivating!  On the palate, full bodied and incredibly juicy with flavors of raspberry coulis, blood orange, and red apple that build in the mouthwatering finish.  Papera is truly one of the greatest old-vine vineyards of California.  Enjoy this beauty from release through 2033. (MRO - 01/18/24)