2008 California Petite Sirah
55% Napa Valley Petite Sirah, Palisades Vineyard
31% Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah, Teldeschi Ranch
14% Russian River Valley Alicante Bouschet, Carlisle Vineyard
What’s this??!!?! The all-encompassing “California” appellation on a Carlisle wine? Yep. Here’s the scoop… We intended on following up our much-heralded 2007 Napa Valley “Palisades Vineyard” Petite Sirah with a 2008 version. Believe it or not, the 2008 was more intense and concentrated than the 2007! But one day, while wrapping up a Sonoma County Zinfandel blending trial, we happened to combine a small beaker of Palisades Petite Sirah with some leftover Teldeschi Petite Sirah and Carlisle Alicante Bouschet. Damn! Delicious! In fact, it was better than any of the components. With some additional fine-tuning, we arrived at the final blend above. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Opaque black-purple. A vinous black hole. Knockout aromas of blackberry, blueberry, graham cracker, and white chocolate. On the palate, massively endowed, like essence of Petite Sirah, with an explosion of black and blue fruits nearly obscuring the sweet tannins on the finish. Enjoyable now but certainly age-worthy as well. Drink 2010 through 2025. (MRO – 3/15/10) (MRO – 07/17/09)