Russian River Valley

 This is a field blend of mostly Zinfandel but also a large amount of Carignan, Valdigue, and Putzscheere (aka Green Hungarian).  This is one of my favorite Zinfandel vineyards for the texture of the wines.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice, bramble and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great energy and balance.  Plush, vibrant texture.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of black raspberries and black cherries with spice and char.  Long finish.  This is still young but drinking well.  Drink over the

These usually take a decade or so to round out into form so it was interesting to try this one a bit earlier.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat, and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is still a bit tight but opens nicely in the glass.  Flavors of black raspberries with some char and a nice mineral streak.  Good finish.  No harm opening this now but it may still improve.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  Great on its own, but better with food.  Thi

This continues to be my favorite Zinfandel in the Carlisle lineup.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, slight black pepper and bramble.  Medium bodied.  Great, soft, but accessible texture.  Balanced.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black raspberries, black cherries, slight black pepper and slight char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work nicely with foods off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

This is a blend from the winery's home vineyard of 87% Zinfandel, 13% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Peloursin, Trousseau Noir, Tempranillo, Carignan, Muscadelle, Malvasia, Muscat, Clairette blanche & 28 Other Varieties).  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The nose takes about twenty minutes to open and then just keeps improving.  Black cherries, raspberries, char, black raspberries, kirsch, and spice.  Full bodied.  Great energy.  Wonderful balance.  Light to medium tannins.  Great semi-lush texture.  On the palate, this is

This is one of the best values in Syrah.  It is also one of the best Syrahs.  it ages so beautifully, it is a pleasure to drink one at age 18.  Perfectly mature but not showing any age.  Purple in color, shimmering bright.  Opaque.  The nose is great with black raspberries, a hint of barnyard, black pepper and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Lovely texture.  Flavors of black raspberries with some black pepper and char.  Long finish.  great on its own but perfect with dinner.  It will work with most fowl, meats or pork.  It raised a veggies

A plush wine, this is a rather decadent Pinot Noir, offering Rainer cherry, plum, raspberry, rhubarb, a slight earthiness as well as light vanilla, campfire smoke and pomegranate. The acidity keeps the bright fruit balanced and the light touches of oak influence (14 months in French oak of which just over half was new) creates a velvety easy drinking smooth wine. Some wines are built for deconstructing and some wines and made for the pure enjoyment of drinking them, and the latter is the case here. ORIGIN: Sonoma, Russian River Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

This is middle of the road inn terms of RRV Pinot Noir.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cola, slight forest floor and baking spices.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries with spice and a slight forest floor note.  Nice finish.  This is young but drinking well.  It should mature a bit as it ages.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It drinks well on its own and should work well with fowl.  It would also work well with Hunan/Chinese.  

My first time trying "The Cutrer".  It is a bit rounder than the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.  It just depends on style preferences as to which one you might prefer.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, some butter, baking spices and a touch of nuttiness.  Full bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, apples and baked apples with some baking spices.  Good finish.  This is very nice on its own but struggled a bit with a vegetarian lasagna.  That said, on its own it is very accessible and also has some depth.  Drink over the next five years.  

This is in a great spot right now.  Still youthful but drinking well.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted herbs and slight roasted meats.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Also some black pepper.  Deep.  Long finish.  This is near peak but should go another eight to twelve years.  Very nice on its own, this would also work well at the dinner table with slow cooked meats or veggies.  

This is a big Pinot for those who love this style.  14.6% abv according to the label.  Purple/garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight root beer and spice.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, load of fruit but balanced by juicy acidity.  Plenty of depth.  Black cherries, cherries and spice.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work with bolder flavors in foods such as Roasted Fowl.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.