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1257 Kensington Road NW
1 (403) 283-8000 / atyourservice@kensingtonwinemarket.com
$74.99
In the last 20 years, Carlisle has bottled Alicante Bouschet only four times – 2004, 2013, 2016, and now, with this vintage, 2021. While the variety is one of their favourites for blending, providing ample colour and adding a bit of complexity, it can fall short as a complete wine, but in these particular vintages, every component is in place, a beautiful nose, delicious flavours, and a long finish. Aged in all neutral oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note: Black as a moonless night deep in a bamboo forest (trust us, that’s black!) Blackberries and boysenberries abound in the deep, concentrated aromas. A touch of dark earth as well. Medium-full to full-bodied with plenty of fresh blackberry, ample acidity and suave tannins. While there is plenty of fruit to this wine, it is by no means jammy thanks to its low pH and high TA. This will age well.
750 ml
"It all started innocently enough. When I was 19, my older sister who was throwing a dinner party offered me a small glass of amber-coloured syrup. “Ambrosia!” I exclaimed upon tasting the late-harvest Riesling. That was it. I was hooked."
-Mike Officer
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Eschewing a job in software development and the city hustle & bustle in favour of making wine in their garage, the Carlisle husband-and-wife team of Mike and Kendall Officer has been making wine under the Carlisle Winery name since 1998. From these humble beginnings, Carlisle Winery & Vineyards has become a Sonoma County gem, producing genuine world-class wines.
Largely specializing in old-vine, vineyard-specific Zinfandels and red Rhone varietals. Carlisle wines are bold and assertive yet impeccably balanced. Differences between vintages and vineyards showcase the deviances amongst Sonoma terroir, which is further expressed by Carlisle's ethos of minimal intervention. Expect impeccable, nuanced wines at an outstanding price.
Carlisle's Estate Vineyard was planted in 1927 and features a field blend of 40 different varietals with Zinfandel being predominant. Mike does no advertising and sells his wine through a mailing list that is over-subscribed. The real advertising is through word of mouth (literally) as his wine’s reputation of affordability and value for such unparalleled quality have sold themselves.
Carlisle produces approximately 9,000 cases annually and does not want to increase from this level. With very few retail shops carrying Carlisle products, if you find it that is enough reason to purchase.
Kensington Wine Market is honoured to be one of the few wine shops anywhere able to carry Carlisle.
Above: Zinfandel from Papara Ranch Vineyard just before harvesting.
$52.99
This KWM exclusive is from Rockford Winery out of Australia's Barossa Valley. They are an iconic winery and most their wines are sold to a loyal following directly from the winery door. In other words, grab a bottle or two while you can. This Alicante Bouchet is a light and refreshing red that should be served chilled. It has a touch of sweetness but it's a delicious cherry bomb carrying notes of cranberry and citrus.
Producer Description
"The exception to the rule! Alicante is genetically linked to the hardy pioneer variety of Grenache, so it too is well-adapted to our warm Mediterranean climate. Because the flesh of this distinctive variety is bright red in colour, there's no need for the skins and juice to sit together to extract the colour and flavour before pressing. Alicante is a variety that ripens with full flavour at low sugar levels, making it an aromatic light red wine."
$62.99
89 points from Antonio Galloni, vinous.com for the 2014 vintage! The review: "The 2014 Three Valleys, Ridge's entry-level Zinfandel-based red, is a delicious, value-priced red to drink young, while the fruit remains vibrant. Sweet floral notes and a burst of spiciness round out the 2014 edition."
