2021 Russian River Valley "Piner-Olivet Ranches" Zinfandel
45% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Carlisle Vineyard
28% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Papera Ranch
25% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Mancini Ranch
2% Sonoma Valley Alicante Bouschet, Pagani Ranch
Any time we create a blended wine, the goal is always the same, to produce a wine qualitatively equal to our vineyard designates. Boy did we ever exceed with this one! After blending the final versions of Carlisle and Papera, we had a little of each remaining. To those, we added some barrels of Mancini. Wow, so good! But we didn’t stop there. We then found that a tiny, homeopathic quantity of old-vine Pagani Alicante elevated the wine even further, producing one of the greatest Zinfandels I have tasted. In the end, a blend of 45% Carlisle Vineyard, 28% Papera Ranch, 25% Mancini Ranch, and 2% Pagani Ranch Alicante Bouschet. Unfined, unfiltered, and unbelievably delicious.
Tasting Note:
Great googly moogly! Does Zinfandel get any better than this? First, the nose. Intense raspberry boysenberry, and pepper, are highlighted by a note of fresh cream. On the palate, ethereal, pure satin, as concentrated flavors of raspberry, cherry, and brown baking spices glide across the tongue. Yep, this is a no-brainer, one to load up on, especially given the price. Enjoy from release through 2031. (MRO - 01/17/23)