Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch 2020

The Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch 2020 is a standout from the Russian River Valley and represents a harmonious blend of 96% Zinfandel and 4% Carignan. This wine, crafted by winemaker Mike Officer, is a prime example of Carlisle Winery’s commitment to producing artisan wines with remarkable elegance and nuance.

This vintage showcases a medium to medium-dark ruby-red color, signaling its depth and character. The aromas are cool and stately, filled with red cherry, cola, and fresh tobacco leaf. On the palate, it presents a medium-full bodied experience with flavors of red fruits and blood orange taking the lead. These vibrant notes persist through the long, smooth finish, making each sip a wonderful experience. The wine avoids bombast and instead exudes elegance, purity, and a quiet confidence that is bright and refreshing. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, this Carlisle Zinfandel can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2028.

The 2020 vintage, though a low-yielding year, was a bright spot for Papera Ranch with a production of 2.4 tons per acre. The grapes were picked in four passes over nine days, allowing Carlisle Winery to create a broad palette of flavors and aromas for this wine. The blending strategy employed multiple trials, resulting in a final blend that combined all tanks, yielding a significant and broad profile with very little new oak—only ten percent to be exact. This meticulous process is why Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch stands out among its peers.

The Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch 2020 has garnered critical acclaim from top reviewers. Wine Spectator awarded it 94 points, praising its nuance and detail with cherry and raspberry flavors mingling with orange peel and fresh sage, finishing with refined tannins. Jeb Dunnuck gave it 93 points, highlighting its ripe berries, raspberry preserve, and baking spice with a refreshing lift on the finish. Vinous also chimed in with a 91-point rating, noting the wine’s balance, silky tannins, and the immediate appeal of its succulent red/purplish fruit, mint, and sage.

This vintage is a perfect reflection of the Russian River Valley’s terroir, showcasing the craftsmanship that Carlisle Winery is known for. With an alcohol content of 15.0% and a pH of 3.52, this wine is well-balanced and ready to drink now or age gracefully for years to come.

For those seeking a unique and elegant wine, Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch 2020 is an excellent choice. And when you buy from Famelounge-PS, you benefit from club membership discounts, the best prices, and top-notch shipping and storage, making your purchase even more rewarding.

If you’re a fan of Carlisle California wines, you’ll appreciate the artisan quality that comes from The Ranch at Carlisle, located in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a garagiste perfectionist, this Zinfandel is sure to impress. Don’t miss out on this exceptional wine from The Carlisle San Francisco collection!