Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Carlisle’s Petite Sirahs are treated like this powerful, but under-appreciated varietal should be. From very old vines, the 2007 Petite Sirah Palisade Vineyard is an amazing example of this varietal that should age for 30+ years. Blueberry, blackberry, camphor, licorice, incense, and graphite notes are followed by a wine with massive concentration and density as well as tremendous purity and depth. Although surprisingly accessible (a characteristic of this vintage), it will unquestionably last for three decades..
Rating: (94-96) -
Wine Spectator
This explosive wine delivers a core of concentrated rich blackberry, huckleberry, boysenberry, dark chocolate and ripe red raspberry flavors, with accents of spice, cedar and tobacco. Despite the concentration, this is supple and elegant, with a long finish and a hint of violet aromatics.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.