Weekly Wine Review - Sonoma Red Blend - 2011 Carlisle Two Acres

Carlisle makes some great Zinfandels and Syrahs which I have enjoyed very much in the past.  When I saw this blend I was intrigued, especially when I had to break out my wine books to lookup the Peloursin grape, a name I've never before seen on a wine bottle. Peloursin was crossed with the Syrah grape to make what we know as Petite Sirah.

Wine: 2011 Carlisle Two Acres

Region: Russian River Valley, California
Grape Varieties: Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, and Peloursin.

Obtained from: Purchased from winery.

Price: $37

Wino4Life Category: Weekend Wine

Aeration before tasting: Just a swirl or two, no special aeration.

Cork Condition: Natural cork - no defects or issues.

Appearance: The wine is clear, dark red with a pinkish rim.

Aroma: Cherries and raspberries with some earth and a bit of a smokey characteristic.

Taste: Very flavorful with big fruit and a fairly high level of acidity that are well balanced by nice, smooth tannins.

The Grade: I give this one an A-. Delicious and fruity, a red that is not too high in alcohol (12.8%) so nice for the warmer weather that summer has brought to us. A really nicely balanced wine with an excellent finish. Not cheap at nearly $40, but you get a ton of flavor and a really nice wine for your money. What more could you ask for???