Fantastic new Zin release from Carlisle, one of our favorite small producers! Limited.95 Points Antonio Galloni: "As always, the 2013 Zinfandel Papera Ranch is one of the silkiest, most polished wines in the range. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherries, tobacco and mint build in an effortless, gracious wine long on class and personality. The Papera includes a small amount (4%) of Carignane, which, hard as it seems to believe, really makes a difference in the wine's character and feel. Papera, one of Sonoma's heritage sites, was planted in 1934." Robert Parker: "One of the great success stories in Northern California is the genesis of Carlisle Winery, whose owner, Mike Officer, began as a wine hobbiest / software developer and grew into a full-time wine producer who has done more to save head-pruned, old-vine Zinfandel vineyards than anyone else in the United States. He built his reputation on full-flavored red wines and continues to fine-tune these beauties, often field blends of what are generically referred to as “mixed blacks” planted primarily by Italian immigrants prior to Prohibition."
Shay A
I’ve enjoyed a decent amount of Calisle zins and really enjoy their take (not overly jammy, balanced spice), but this was my first experience with this offering and it was very unique. The aromatics here don’t smell like Zin...more Syrah like. Funky nose. Blood orange and spicy rhubarb with red fruits and cardamom. On the palate it is crunchy and energetic, oozing black cherries and zesty citrus. Very intriguing. Thanks @Dan Fitzgerald .
I’ve enjoyed a decent amount of Calisle zins and really enjoy their take (not overly jammy, balanced spice), but this was my first experience with this offering and it was very unique. The aromatics here don’t smell like Zin...more Syrah like. Funky nose. Blood orange and spicy rhubarb with red fruits and cardamom. On the palate it is crunchy and energetic, oozing black cherries and zesty citrus. Very intriguing. Thanks @Dan Fitzgerald .
9.3Shawn R
Love the nose on the 12 better this edges out the 12 on the palate.
Love the nose on the 12 better this edges out the 12 on the palate.
9.3Max Reichwage
Drinking well
Drinking well
9.3Thomas Bauer
Papera Ranch on point today!
Papera Ranch on point today!
10Ed Chin
This is not your jammy style zin. Actually lighter in body than expected.
This is not your jammy style zin. Actually lighter in body than expected.
9.1Jody Scharf
Full Zin. Delightful.
Full Zin. Delightful.
9.3Aaron Rankin
Very short in the tooth but so long in the finish. I've read it described as effortless and that's spot on. I will hold onto my other bottle for 5-15 years though.
Very short in the tooth but so long in the finish. I've read it described as effortless and that's spot on. I will hold onto my other bottle for 5-15 years though.
9.3JJ Lumia
Massive and complex. Black cherry, spice, tobacco and pepper. Secondary flavors dominate. A full and chewy wine with a high alcohol content that carries through on the long, hot finish. This is stunning, but not for the meek.
Massive and complex. Black cherry, spice, tobacco and pepper. Secondary flavors dominate. A full and chewy wine with a high alcohol content that carries through on the long, hot finish. This is stunning, but not for the meek.
9.5Chris Regina
Cherries and tobacco. Sweet red berries, vanilla oak, cranberries. Hints of mint. Ripe acidity. Vibrant. Young. Alcohol showing through. Not sure this wine gets better with age flavor wise, but will definitely calm and even out.
Cherries and tobacco. Sweet red berries, vanilla oak, cranberries. Hints of mint. Ripe acidity. Vibrant. Young. Alcohol showing through. Not sure this wine gets better with age flavor wise, but will definitely calm and even out.
8.9Pat Sperry
Great zin , spicy, crisp, smooth & very well balanced, juicy blackberry and blueberry and raspberry fruit
Great zin , spicy, crisp, smooth & very well balanced, juicy blackberry and blueberry and raspberry fruit
9.0WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.