93 2012 Carlisle Pagani Ranch Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley) 7/8/18 ($46)
96% Zinfandel, 4% Mixed Blacks (Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Mission, and others) 14.9% alc 236cases
Color: Deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Ripe Zinberry fruit (blackberry, boysenberry , black cherry, even a little fig) complemented by briar, cigarbox and subtle herbs. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent fruit, acidity and smooth tannins underneath. Silky, tangy mouthfeel that coats very nicely. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but fruit is more racy here. Delicious. (3.5) Finish: Long, but shows more acidity with fruit a little less expressive. (3.0)
Overall: A delicious Pagani (much better than the '11) that was slightly muted on day one, but is impressive on day two. Still not quite as pretty as Ridge's version, but shows the intense old vines fruit character expected from a top notch vintage of Ridge Pagani. Best Pagani I've had that is not a Ridge. Should continue to improve in the next 2-4 years. (16.5)
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