92 2011 Carlisle Papera Ranch Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) 4/1/16 ($45)
100% Zinfandel, 597cases 15.5% alc
Color: Deep red cherry garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Eucalyptus, petrol, briar and herbs complement lean, tart, laser-like Zinberry fruit (cranberry and tart cherry). (3.5) Body: Solid middleweight plus with outstanding acidity and smooth tannins. The fruit meets but lacks sweetness at this point. Silky, tart/tangy mouthfeel. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but shows a bitters-like flavor (interesting and off-putting at the same time). (3.0) Finish: Long, but also tart from fierce acidity and bitter from sneaky tannins. (3.0)
Overall: Very lean and mean when first opened, but the old vines fruit and silkiness of the vintage emerged with a couple of hours in a decanter. The tart cranberry and red cherry fruit along with austere structure reflect the very cool growing season. The very complex, potpourri of spices is most compelling at this point. Give it another 2-5 years. (16.0)
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