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2016 Carlisle Montafi Ranch Zinfandel

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

March 17, 2024 - $42

Estimate

RATINGS

95The Wine Advocate

...pronounced crème de cassis and blueberry pie nose with touches of camphor, cardamom and dusty soil. The palate is big, rich, full and fruity with loads of earthy notions and a plush texture, finishing with great freshness.

95Jeb Dunnuck

... Fresh plums, blueberries, violets, and fresh flower notes all give way to a plump, rounded, beautifully textured effort from Mike that never puts a foot wrong. Shining for its elegance and purity, yet still packing rocking levels of fruit...

93Wine Spectator

Dynamic and appealingly briary, with plush raspberry, bay leaf and orange peel flavors that build richness toward polished tannins.

93Wine Enthusiast

... Leather, sandalwood and cedar provide an earthy, serious and substantial framework on which to hang cherry and raspberry brightness. It ponders mulling spice and sage on the finish.

91-94Vinous / IWC

A dark, powerful wine... Black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and leather notes flesh out in a potent, virile wine endowed with serious character and complexity...

REGION

United States, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

TYPE

Red Wine, Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a black-skinned grape, but 85% of the wine produced is made into a rosy “White Zinfandel.” Red Zin is far more complex and bold, while still being light-bodied. It grows in popularity as winemakers continue to experiment with new styles and blends.