Winemaker Notes
Great googly moogly! Does Zinfandel get any better than this? First, the nose. Intense raspberry boysenberry, and pepper, are highlighted by a note of fresh cream. On the palate, ethereal, pure satin, as concentrated flavors of raspberry, cherry, and brown baking spices glide across the tongue. Yep, this is a no-brainer, one to load up on, especially given the price.
Blend: 45% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Carlisle Vineyard, 28% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Papera Ranch, 25% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Mancini Ranch, 2% Sonoma Valley Alicante Bouschet, Pagani Ranch
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
The 2021 Zinfandel Piner-Olivet is another fabulous wine in this range. It brings together so many of the elements that make the Carlisle wines so compelling. Dense and succulent, the 2021 races across the palate, showing notable textural depth and persistence. All the elements are so well balanced. The Piner-Oliver is a blend of Carlisle, Papera, Mancini and Pagani, essentially three grand crus from the Russian River Valley and a fourth from Sonoma Valley! That's a pretty appealing combination in my book. Moreover, this wine is exceptionally well-priced.
Range: 94-96 -
Wine Spectator
Fresh and exuberant, with vibrant black raspberry, cracked pepper and brown baking spices that gather structure and richness toward refined tannins. Drink now.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.