2018 Russian River Valley "Piner-Olivet Ranches" Zinfandel
70% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Papera Ranch
24% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Carlisle Vineyard
6% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Mancini Ranch
Perhaps our best Piner-Olivet Ranches Zinfandel to date, this year’s version leans heavily on Papera Ranch, planted 1934, for the base. To that, we blended 24% Carlisle Vineyard, planted 1927, and 6% Mancini Ranch, planted 1922. What’s the final mixed black component of this wine? Hard to say exactly but by my rough math, I’d put it at about 7%. Aged in all French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Dark garnet-ruby. Heady, concentrated aromas of macerated cherries and raspberries are complemented by notes of blood orange. Holy moly! These aromas could fill a room! The wine enters the mouth with medium-full to full body and offers flavors of black raspberry and amarena, Italian black cherry. Zesty acidity in the lingering finish bodes well for further development. Drink from 2022 to 2028. (MRO - 01/15/20)