Wine Article
2020 Carlisle Zinfandel Rossi Ranch
Last edited on 7/17/2022 by PSUSteve
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From release newsletter:
2020 Sonoma Valley “Rossi Ranch” Zinfandel
Rossi Ranch continues its remarkable run of great vintages but boy was it close in 2020. Picked September 26th, the day before the Glass Fire erupted in Napa and burned over the hills into Sonoma Valley, the fruit was fully destemmed and cold- soaked for six days. Fermentation started on its own so we stepped back and let ‘er rip. Rossi has always done well not being directly inoculated. After 16 days in tank, the wine was gently pressed to all used, neutral French oak. Another “naked” wine. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note: Medium-dark ruby-garnet. Cherries, red licorice whips, menthol, and fresh cream make for a fantastic sniff. On the palate, mouthcoating with flavors of black cherry and blood orange. Lower in acidity than our Russian River Zins (always the case) but, typical of Sonoma Valley, a bit more tannin in the finish. If you open one early, enjoy with grilled meats, braised short ribs, rack of lamb, and the like. Otherwise, give it some additional bottle time and enjoy late 2023 to 2028.
2020 Sonoma Valley “Rossi Ranch” Zinfandel
Rossi Ranch continues its remarkable run of great vintages but boy was it close in 2020. Picked September 26th, the day before the Glass Fire erupted in Napa and burned over the hills into Sonoma Valley, the fruit was fully destemmed and cold- soaked for six days. Fermentation started on its own so we stepped back and let ‘er rip. Rossi has always done well not being directly inoculated. After 16 days in tank, the wine was gently pressed to all used, neutral French oak. Another “naked” wine. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note: Medium-dark ruby-garnet. Cherries, red licorice whips, menthol, and fresh cream make for a fantastic sniff. On the palate, mouthcoating with flavors of black cherry and blood orange. Lower in acidity than our Russian River Zins (always the case) but, typical of Sonoma Valley, a bit more tannin in the finish. If you open one early, enjoy with grilled meats, braised short ribs, rack of lamb, and the like. Otherwise, give it some additional bottle time and enjoy late 2023 to 2028.