Mike Officer's Arresting Carlisle Wines...

Carlisle 2005 Six Pack

$194

Mike Officer's Carlisle wines, as you know, are some of the most coveted around, and it seems like the supply year after year dwindles as the winery strives to make everyone happy by sharing just a little bit. Here is a six pack sampler from Carlisle's new release: 4 bottles of Zinfandel and 2 Syrah. Tasting notes are from the winemaker.

Your six pack will contain 2 bottles each of the following wines:

2005 Russian River Valley Syrah

100% Russian River Valley Syrah, Parsons' Ranch

pH: 3.62 T.A.: 0.600 g/100mL Alcohol: 15.7% Cases Produced: 287

Tasting Note: Inky black-purple in color. Heady aromas of blackberry compote and fresh churned butter. Smells just like Grandma's blackberry cobbler! As full-bodied as our Dry Creek syrah but perhaps with slightly brighter acidity (as expected from Russian River Valley). Slurp-able now but even better with cellaring. Drink from mid-2008 through 2013.

2005 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

57% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Teldeschi Ranch

23% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Mounts Ranch

20% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Gold Mine Ranch

pH: 3.62 T.A.: 0.602 g/100mL Alcohol: 15.6% Cases Produced: 370

Tasting Note: Medium-dark ruby garnet. Fragrant scents of red cherries, iron, and spring flowers. Classic Dry Creek zin! On the palate, absolutely seamless with plenty of delicious lip-smacking cherry fruit. As with many of our wines in 2005, easily my favorite Dry Creek zinfandel to date. Drink mid-2007 through 2011.

2005 Sonoma County Zinfandel

50% Alexander Valley Zinfandel, Kuimelis Vineyard

26% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Tanya's Vineyard

14% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Gold Mine Ranch

6% Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, Rossi Ranch

3% Russian River Valley Petite Sirah, Bacigalupi Ranch

1% Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Bacchi Ranch

pH: 3.68 T.A.: 0.650 g/100mL Alcohol: 16.1% Cases Produced: 430

Every year we have fun putting this wine together, challenging ourselves to come up with a Sonoma County blend that is qualitatively equal to our more expensive offerings. This year's blend has a record number of components, with lots coming from four different appellations. Bottled unfined and unfiltered after 15 months barrel aging.

Tasting Note: Beautiful dark ruby garnet. Aromas of red and black raspberries are intertwined with notes of smoke and earth. Full bodied and creamy on entry but with pleasing tannins and acidity on the finish. Enjoy late 2007 through 2011.

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Cheers,

Jon Kelvey

Russian River Wine Company
132 Plaza St.
Healdsburg CA, 95448
1-800-477-0490 Ext 16
Jonkelvey@gmail.com