Carlisle "Radiant Ridge Vineyard" Mourvedre 2021
(Bennett Valley, Sonoma, California) - [JD 94]

About the Winery:
Carlisle is a small Sonoma County winery specializing in the production of old-vine, vineyard designated Zinfandels and red Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah). They also produce three delicious white wines, two of which are blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma County's first ever Grüner Veltliner.

About this Wine:
Radiant Ridge Vineyard is a relatively young vineyard, having just been planted in 2013, but is quickly proving itself to be a star in our portfolio.  Planted to one of my favorite selections of Syrah, ENTAV 470, and my favorite selection of Mourvèdre, ENTAV 369, the vineyard lies at 1200' elevation, just below the top of Bennett Peak and high above Bennett Valley.  In fact, this is the highest altitude vineyard within the appellation.  To plant the vineyard, vast quantities of basaltic rock had to be removed from the Goulding clay loam soil.  Overall, a relatively cool site but one in which nights are warmer than on the valley floor.  Expertly farmed by our good friend and vineyard manager Chris Bowland.

Picked on October 18th at 23.5 Brix, 22% of the fruit was put to tank as whole cluster to increase aromatic complexity and structure while the remaining fruit was fully destemmed but not crushed.  Nearly a month later, on November 13th, the wine was pressed to all French oak, 20% new.  To add texture and suppleness to the palate, the wine was fined with one egg white per barrel but was bottled unfiltered.

Tasting Notes:
Very dark ruby-purple.  Black raspberry, incense, tree bark, forest floor, and pepper waft from the glass.   On the palate, dark fruits, loamy earth, and spice.  Texturally seamless, with smooth but authoritative tannins building in the finish.  Such an alluring wine that deftly combines power with elegance.  While enjoyable now, this will no doubt age spectacularly for up to at least two decades, possibly three.  Drink from release through 2041. (MRO - 01/18/24)

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