December 29, 2023 - Sadly, this bottle was unbalanced and dull. Subdued aromas with a prune and dark fruits. There is a persistent and unpleasant bitterness that overwhelms any discernible fruit flavors. Bummer. Will open the 07 RRV shortly.
November 11, 2021 - Tasted after 90 minutes of air. A hint of eucalyptus on the nose. Dark red fruits. Savory notes. Nicely balanced. Some lift on the mid palate. This is still going strong and no rush to drink up.
April 2, 2021 - Prototypical NorCal Syrah: balanced dark fruit, leather and deep forest, substantial but not excessive body, silken tannins. Not past its prime, at all. I laugh at the price I paid for this so many years ago. If you still have this well-stored in your cellar, kudos to you, enjoy!
April 13, 2020 - One of my oldest Carlisle wines. No notes.
August 29, 2019 - No formal TN, but a delicious Syrah.
August 10, 2019 - I like it but not as much as a bottle a few months ago. Seemed less concentrated.
May 20, 2019 - Wow! Rated this 88 and 89 pts in 2011 & 2012. This is drinking really, really well right now. Fully integrated with a lovely balance of ripe red/blue fruits, baking spices, warm butter, chocolate and polished tannins. Front to back a lovely mouthfeel. Goes to show what patience and proper cellaring will bring.
May 8, 2019 - I agree with one of the previous reviewers, I probably waited a little too long on this. From a quick decant, it's nicely balanced and integrated, and quite enjoyable, but the fruit isn't showing the exuberant pop that I remembered. Very good, but was probably better. Will update if tomorrow's sampling shows something different ...
October 22, 2018 - Time to drink. fruit is fully integrated and tannins are softened. Unless you are a fan f the next stage of Syrah, when fruit is a bit stewed, drink this between now and the upcoming holidays.
You can thank me later
That being said, wine is delicious and drinking it now will be rewarding because the mouthfeel is delicious and the flavor show blueberry, a hint of zest and subtle oak. What is lacking in youthfulness and freshness is instead replaced by a perfectly ready 11 year old Syrah
September 8, 2018 - Really good mature syrah. Fruit, spice, complexity. Seamless integration. Drink or hold.