2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch Vineyard | Russian River Valley Sonoma County California 750ml

Kitty-corner from Mancini Ranch, at the intersection of Piner and Olivet roads, lies Papera Ranch, planted in 1934 by Celestino (aka Charley) Papera. Unlike many other old-vine Piner-Olivet vineyards, most blocks of Papera Ranch are largely Zinfandel with only a sprinking of Carignan. As a result, Papera is always more red-fruited in character compared to the black and/or blue fruits of Montafi, Mancini, and Carlisle. Picked over two dates, October 4th and October 10th, all fruit was fully destemmed and cold soaked for five days before inoculation for fermentation. Aged in all French oak, 19% new, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Medium to medium-dark ruby. A heavenly bouquet of peach, raspberries, and cherries nearly overwhelms the senses. It's hard to stop smelling this wine! On the palate, slightly richer and more darkly fruited than the lovely 2018 but with plenty of acidity, this wine never feels heavy or out of balance. Finishes quite clean and long with very fine tannins. Enjoy from release (if you like your wines young) through 2028. | Carlisle

Coming from the Russian River, the 2019 Zinfandel Papera Ranch is a juicy, blue and red-fruited effort offering lots of candied violets, tobacco, and orange blossom aromatics, medium-bodied richness, light tannins, and a juicy, nicely focused mouthfeel. This elegant, focused, nicely structured Zinfandel is good today but will be better with another year of bottle age and should see its 10th birthday in fine form. | 94 points, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com