2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch
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Tasting notes
One of the larger cuvées (658 cases), the stunning 2012 Zinfandel Papera Ranch (96% Zinfandel and 4% Carignane) comes from a vineyard planted in 1934. It was aged in 25% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Copious notes of sweet black raspberries, kirsch, lavender, licorice and a touch of oak are present in this full-bodied, nicely proportioned Zinfandel that builds incrementally, and has a broad, savory texture as well as impressive purity. Drink this beauty over the next decade or more.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(includes 4% carignane; 15.4% alcohol): Inky purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes black and blue fruit liqueur, incense and candied flowers, with an intense spicy overtone. Sappy, incisive and pure, offering densely packed boysenberry and cassis flavors sharpened by juicy acidity. Weighty and seamless in texture, finishing with excellent clarity and smooth, slow-building tannins. This substantial zin would be great with braised red meats.
A dollop of Carignane seems to give the 2012 Zinfandel Papera Ranch gorgeous aromatic lift to play off the wine's deep layers of fruit. Silky tannins support sweet red fruit, flowers, spices and licorice in a sexy Zinfandel that should drink beautifully right out of the gate. The blend is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Carignane.