2011 Russian River Valley "Carlisle Vineyard" Zinfandel
87% Zinfandel
13% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Peloursin, Trousseau noir, Tempranillo, Muscadelle, Malvasia, Muscat, and over 30 other varieties)
Slowly but surely I have been able to identify nearly every vine (that’s over 6000 vines!) in this 1927 vineyard planted by Alcide Pelletti. With only a handful of unknown vines remaining, we now know that this vineyard is composed of approximately 87% Zinfandel and 13% other stuff. But that 13% is composed of over 38 varieties! And I thought I was a grape junkie! Some of the more interesting cultivars include Blauer Portugieser, Aubun, Abouriou, Grec rouge, Chaillaud, and Albillo Mayor. The bulk of the vineyard was picked on October 3rd, just before the rain, but the tough, thick-skinned Alicante and Grand Noir were left to further ripen and were picked in fine shape on October 27th. Indigenous fermentation. Pressed to all French oak, 27% new, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Dark ruby-garnet. A powerful mélange of spiced red and black fruits – raspberry, cherry, boysenberry, mulberry – spill from the glass. On the palate, seamless, with fruit, acid, and tannin all in perfect harmony. Reminiscent of the 2009. Notwithstanding the non-existent 2010, Carlisle Vineyard has certainly been on a roll since 2007. Enjoy this compelling field-blended Zinfandel from release through 2020. (MRO – 07/18/13)