2020 Russian River Valley "Carlisle Vineyard" Zinfandel
86% Zinfandel
14% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Peloursin, Trousseau noir, Tempranillo, Carignan, Muscadelle, Malvasia, Muscat, Clairette blanche and 31 other varieties)
Picked earlier than ever over three days between September 8th and September 14th, yields were quite a bit lower in this hot vintage at 1.4 tons to the acre. But the resulting fruit was ripe and concentrated. Fully destemmed, each tank was cold soaked for five days before inoculation with one of our favorite locally-derived yeasts, WS (isolated years ago from a Williams Selyem ferment of Jackass Hill Zinfandel). After an average of 17 days on the skins, the wine was pressed to all neutral French oak. Once we confirmed there was no smoke taint, we introduced a few new barrels for about 10% new oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium-dark to dark ruby-garnet. An intense, brooding nose of red and black fruits with blood orange, clove, and a hint of framboise liqueur. On the palate, full-bodied, verging on muscular, with flavors of red cherry, plum, and licorice. Like most of our 2020s, age worthy. In fact, the bottle opened for this tasting note was still fresh as a daisy after four days. Drink this bad boy from 2025 to 2035. (MRO - 01/17/23)