2012 Russian River Valley "Carlisle Vineyard" Zinfandel
88% Zinfandel
12% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Peloursin, Trousseau noir, Tempranillo, Muscadelle, Malvasia, Muscat, and over 30 other varieties)
Of all the old-vine vineyards with which we work, none has as many different varieties (40!) as our own estate vineyard planted in 1927 by Alcide Pelletti. We used to skip the whites when we picked – varieties like Clairette blanche, Chenin blanc, Malvasia, Muscadelle, Trousseau gris, and Albillo Mayor – but we realized that they constituted such a relatively small amount that we should include them just to be more faithful to the vineyard. While many vineyards saw higher yields in 2012, Carlisle Vineyard produced the same as in 2011 and 2009 (let’s not talk about the miniscule 2010 crop!), right around 1.6 tons to the acre. Local yeast fermentation. All French oak, 23% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Dark ruby-garnet. A heady and intoxicating nose of black raspberry compote with a strong note of blood orange. This is a wine that announces its presence with authority! But on the palate, as seamless and harmonious as they come with concentrated flavors of red and black berry fruit building through the long and gently tannic finish. A wine of both power and finesse. Enjoy from release through 2020. (MRO – 07/18/14)