April 18, 2020 - Continuing my dive into my older stash of Carlisle. This wine has grown and grown on me through the years, to the extend that I actually find it on par with most of the SV bottlings nowadays. Such a tremendous value in world class wine! It was thus with a lot of curiosity and excitement to try this old one. Has it stood the test of time? Was it as good back then as I found it in the last five vintages?
In short: Yes and yes! It was double decanted 15 minutes prior to serving and I just had a small sip upon opening. At that point it needed ti stretch its back and realize now was the time to wake up and leave the bottle. It fortunately did, and while the nose showed a lovely matured profile of development and still some intact zinberries, the palate was a powerful, fresh and full bodied explosion without much age showing in the notes. The palate however, was such a seemless integration of fully mellowed tannins, balancing but well hidden acidity, full body and almost unctuous texture. This partly was a result of a slight sensation of RS. It turns out that this vintage actually had 3,7 g/L of RS, so just above the detectable threshold. I would probably even have guessed a little higher, but it didn’t detract from my experience and it wasn’t too much. Perhaps it was also due to us having mustard and sugar coated ham for dinner, with which a bit of RS probably just made the wine an even better match. Overall, Just a beautiful, perfectly mature Zinfandel and I find it deserves 92 points, just as I have found almost all recent vintages.
April 6, 2019 - Still delicious, and likely to maintain and improve this state, if well-stored.
Like practically all Carlisle wines I've had, this has an excellent weight and balance: there is a full body without being heavy, evident fruit without being overwhelming. Tannins that improve food. No evidence of the label's 15.1% ABV.
February 26, 2018 - Still tasty, after all these years. Subtle vanilla note along with cherry and blueberry leads into a rich but sleek midpalate of ripe bing cherry, blackberry and blueberry, ending in a fairly long finish that echoes the aforementioned. Still offering up much pleasure but drink up sooner than later, even if well stored. Paired with gas broiled buffalo steak and salad of baby green /Italian dressing.
February 21, 2016 - Raspberry and red berry fruit. Subtle and elegant, with spice and red fruit notes on the palate. Very good.
May 8, 2015 - Slightly sweet note just expands on the wondrous palate; nose was a classic Mike Officer rendering...fulsome/deep. This is a balanced, long-thought-of wine. I daresay it is better than some of his '07 SVDs (I know...heresy).
June 29, 2014 - Excellent. At least a year left
May 16, 2014 - JAMMY FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACK CHERRIES, RASPBERRIES, AND CHERRIES. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
May 3, 2014 - Pop and pour. Dark structured wine with layers of dark cherry, black raspberry, pepper and spice. I would have guessed more petite than listed. Good acidity and great finish.
February 2, 2014 - Cherry, flowery, vanilla and a bit of alcohol on nose. Raisin, berries, chocolate, molasses on palate. Has not peaked.
October 27, 2013 - As complex as either of the two 2002 high-end cabernets tasted tonight. Great time to drink this one.