2020 Carlisle 'Papera Ranch' Zinfandel Russian River Valley
Medium to medium-dark ruby-red. Very cool, stately aromas of red cherry, cola, and fresh tobacco leaf. On the palate, medium-full bodied. Flavors of red fruits and blood orange take front and center stage, persisting through the long, smooth finish. Not a wine of bombast but instead, one of elegance, purity, and quiet confidence. Wonderful now, this can be enjoyed through at least 2028.
Former software engineer Mike Officer started Carlisle in 1998 in his garage with the help of his wife Kendall and college buddy Jay Maddox, and he’s never looked back. Today, he is recognized along with Turley and Bedrock as a top artisan producer of Zinfandel, and we would place him in the same "enthusiast-garagiste-perfectionist" category as Russell Bevan, whose wines you've embraced in a huge way. Officer sells most of his wines to his mailing list and restaurants.
Wine Spectator
Few Zinfandels show this much nuance and detail, yet there's an elegant power to this red, with cherry and raspberry flavors that mingle with orange peel and fresh sage. Ends with refined tannins.
James Suckling
The 2020 Zinfandel Papera Ranch is ripe with fresh berries, raspberry preserve, and baking spice. Its gushy fruit up front gives way to a note of raspberry seed and refreshing lift on the finish. Drink 2023-2032.