2013 Russian River Valley “Montafi Ranch” Zinfandel
Montafi. If you include my home winemaking days, I have worked with this vineyard longer than any other, 21 years to be exact. It’s an incredibly special site that has produced many memorable wines. Our 2013 is certainly no exception. Never have I seen higher quality of fruit from this vineyard. And never have we had so much! Hats off to Chris Bowland and his vineyard management team for the impeccable farming. Half the fruit was fermented indigenously. The other half was inoculated to increase complexity. Pressed to all French oak, only 24% new and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note: Dark ruby-red. Verging on opaque. It’s obvious there are some teinturiers (red juiced grapes such as Alicante Bouchet) in the blend. A drop-dead gorgeous nose of blackberry, black raspberry, sage, and eucalyptus. Classic Montafi! On the palate, powerful, concentrated, yet the wine is perfectly balanced between tannins, acid, and fruit. The quintessential Carlisle Zinfandel? I suspect many would say so. Enjoy this beauty from release through 2021.

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