Wine is still drinking beautifully with generous zinfandel fruit and food friendly body. Maybe a little intensity has been exchanged for a nice elegance over the wines 15 years. 91
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Dark red color with very slight fading at the edges. Nose is dark fruited, blackberries. Beautiful, lush bramble fruit on the palate, blackberry, bit of raspberry, spicy. Beautiful acidity and balance. Finishes long and dark fruited. Bright and lovely. Throwing some sediment. There was a bit of heat detectable on Day 2 (15.8% ABV) but no heat on Day 1. Drink over the next 3 years. From 129 years old vines.
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Although past its peak, according to the Carlisle website, this wine was an incredible example of how Zin can be rich and complex. Leather, live earth, black pepper, together with dark fruit and smooth tannins. Consumed over three days, by itself, with Point Reyes Bleu Cheese, and with cheese tortellini in arrabbiata sauce. Outstanding. Drink up.
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Similar to last tasting three years ago. Rich concentrated fruit in the nose and flavor. Black cherries, blackberries, plums, and hints of earthiness, spice and floral. Nice complexity and a medium to long finish.
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Decanted thru strainer (some medium-sized sediment) and drank after 45 minutes. Ruby red, with a hint of brown and very slightly orange rim. Not as opaque as most Carlisles. Medium body, i.e., light for a Carlisle. Raspberry/strawberry, with good spice and hints of licorice and blueberry. Long finish. A persistent tartness that would make it better with food. Is this wine now in that awkward space between young and mature? Nevertheless, quite enjoyable.
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Violet in color. 15.8% ABV. Sensational nose of red and blue fruits, flowers and licorice. Full bodied with just enough acidity. Big, dense and concentrated. Blueberries, cherries and white pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish with just a touch of heat. Delicious Zinfandel but missing some of the freshness I have come to expect from Carlisle. The bar is set so high here. Drink over the next year or so.
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Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of potpourri, berries and cherries. Flavors of berries, raspberries and strawberries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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I don't think zin can get any better. I wish I had more of the 09's, what a great year for Carlisle. This wine was so vibrant, fresh, did not show any signs of age other than being balanced. I need to hold on to some of my older Carlisle's if I can.
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Detailed notes not taken. Wine is simply outstanding for all three three days consumed. For those who still have this wine, enjoy now or for the next five years.
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I just read the notes on this wine prior to posting. Beats me what they're talking about? Slow ox'd for 60 minutes. Dark color. Nice nose. Smells great. A slightly sour taste and heat that would have warmed me up on a winter day. The heat overpowered whatever was good about this wine. There were some tannins at 120 minutes. I've had similar heat issues with other Carlisle zins. I wonder why? The wine was stored in my below ground cellar since I purchased from the winery. Dinner at North Square in Greenwich Village.
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Yowza! I knew this would be a little too sweet until it had breathed for an hour or two, but I thought it would pair well with peppercorn crusted steak. It did, indeed, but after we'd eaten, and after the wine had been open for about 90 minutes, it began to sing. Great nose - black cherries and a little heat. Tart cherries on the palate. Big time viscosity and fruit dancing on the tongue produced an almost spectacular finish. Wonderful stuff - probably at its peak.
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Give this an hour or so of air and you will be rewarded. Excellent Carlisle zin - dark purple fruits, ripe but not overly so. Great effort by Mr. Officer.
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Great Carlisle zin. Red and purple fruit. Lots of it, smooth and long finish. spice, zest. in a perfect place. dry, balanced. Love Carlisle and this is a great carlisle zin.
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Ripe creamy and earthy nose. Exotic and individual fruit flavor on palate. Vey good balance and finish. Medium tannin. This fell apart day two: fruit nearly disappears on palate and bitter alcohol spikes up. Rating for day one only
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Superb balance. In addition to Mike's usual magical touch, this has an extra dimension of silkiness to it, and a bit of an aura of vibrancy. This 09 is one of my favorite Carlisle Zins.
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Pours an inky dark purple. Nose of blackberries, plums, white pepper and a violet note lingering in the background.
This is a massive wine with dense flavors of black and blue fruits. The palate is predominantly blackberry with a wonderful peppery note. This is a much bigger wine than I usually drink, but it never felt ponderous or heavy, and despite the 15.8%abv there is no heat whatsoever. The medium acidity allowed it to go well with prime New York strip. Tannins are fairly soft and well integrated at this point in the wine's development.
A delicious, crowd pleasing wine that has years of life still. This is not in my normal wheelhouse, but for the style, among the best I've ever consumed.
Decanted. Poured one hour later. Deep ruby, nearly opaque. Great nose of blackberries and white pepper. Full-bodied intense jammy black fruit on the palate, balanced by acids and soft tannins. The aftertaste lingers quite long, continuing to echo the fruit. This is a fruit bomb, for sure. Perhaps the offspring of a blackberry liqueur and a port. No points for elegance, but it is quite enjoyable, nonetheless. Should be drinking well for another couple of years.
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I am completely conflicted by this. A certain Wine magazine gave it a 94, and ten to 15 years ago, I would have called it a religious experience. Now, in my declining years, I am put off by "excessive" alcohol, and at 15.8%, this one certainly qualifies. For starters, it didn't really open up until about three hours after uncorking. Very nice nose - plums, assorted black fruit, and a hint of brown sugar. Medium body with monumentally humongous fruit on the palate. The fruit hung out in my nasal cavities for quite awhile, giving it a great finish. However, with every second or third sip, the heat and subtle Port-like characteristics emerged. I went from a score of 88 to 92 and back to 88. Just don't know what to make of this, and the final score is my average.
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This is about as saturated a zin I can remember tasting. While some zins like the older big ones Martinelli themselves got there with power from the alcohol, this is just dripping with fruit. Alcohol in the 15% range, but that juicy profile is unique. It's not a heavy/syrupy wine, nor dense like a hot central coast high octane syrah. No, this is just pure juicy blue and black fruits hanging on a frame with just enough acidity to stitch it together. Having had the '09 Papera recently, which was firmer, this impression was even more vivid to me. Will open my remaining bottle in the next 6-12 months to enjoy the fruit in current state. A fun wine, built by zin lovers for zin lovers
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I'm a huge fan of the Carlisle style - elegant, refined, balanced and so on, but this was the yang of the yin and more on point with an Alban or SQN in style. Huge ripe juicy fruit layered with flavor and balance. Stunning.
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Wow. One of the very best Carlisle Zins of all time for me, along with the 07 Papera, 07 and 08 Carlisle, and 02 Dry Creek. Absolutely perfect ripeness, with hints of dark plummy spicy raisins, yet also balanced with crisp bright crunchy red fruit. Great zing of acidity, perfect structural backbone, judicious vanillin oak that gives this that creamy grapesickle nuance, and a beautiful finish. Not a hint of heat, if anything this tastes like a cool climate old world young gem. So slurpable, yet classy and stylish all at once, this is the goods. At a perfectly taut and delicious peak, now and for another couple years, but this can only lose from here on out (though I'd love to try a bottle in ten years and see what magic might happen - if you do, call me then!).
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Pop-n-pour at cellar temp to a dark ruby color. Expressive nose of blueberries and strawberries, with some slight eucalyptus sneaking in. Palate carries an intense rush of blue and blackberries, white pepper, mint and nutmeg. Light and silky despite the density of the fruit. Long, brambly finish. Really excellent wine in a good place right now.
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Upon opening the tannins were very prominent and lacked integration, but after several hours and especially on the second day they became much more balanced and fabulous flavors of cherry liqueur or creme de noyaux,and black walnuts came to the fore. An excellent bottle that I expect has several years of good to better drinking to come.
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Better on Day 2, a bit more integrated and refined with air. Deep and precise black fruit with some blueberry elements and a bit of chocolate on the finish. A sign that I should not be drinking my Carlisle's so early.
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I need to open more of my Carlisle instead of hoarding it like a miser. I really enjoy Mike's winemaking style and this really lets the Martinelli fruit shine through.
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P&P. Without looking at Mike O’s vintage profile, the wine itself reveals 2009 was a very warm year, as it explodes with dark raspberry themed fruit, very decadent and tasty. A bit of structure on the back half keeps this from going over the top, a late arriving floral note appears that I have found to emerge on Zin’s as they age a little bit. A very good effort, and one to drink sooner rather than later I think
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magenta, red, in color. dark fruit, cherry, raspberry, soil, sweet, spice, chocolate, raisin, on the nose. medium acid, medium tannins, on this chocolate finish.
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Very dark purple, almost black in color. Nose of kirsch, blackberry, violets and blueberry. Very distinct nose and unlike any Carlisle I have had. Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry and blueberry. Long seductive finish. Impressed what Carlisle was able to do with this vineyard. Can't wait to try the Monte Rosso and the Hayne vineyard wines. Is there any producer making better Zins than Carlisle right now?
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P&P, first night - This is blackberry liqueur oriented, with a touch of dry tannins and good spine of acid to balance the tasty, huge fruit. A tantalizing slightly bitter herbal detail in the mid-palate adds complexity. No heat. Second night - Better, more crunch appearing at the end. Tannins and acid disappearing but still underneath as this is evolving to a boisterous, extravagant, varnishy red and purple fruited liqueur. Guess some of these 09s need some time, and this one for sure. I think this will have a narrow window, but still needs a year or so to bring out these goods. I have a couple more and will drink them 2015 and 2016. Upgraded from 90 to 92pts.
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Tasted vs. a turley 08 Dragon vineyard zin. 1st day, Turley much better.
I would give the Carlisle a 88 rating for the 1st day, but by the 2nd and 3rd day, the Carlisle was much better 93+. Just such a well made wine, wished I had more than 1 left- as good as zin can get!
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very nice big fruited wine. to me a bit over the top juicy, but very easy drinking. No heat at all, just very nice mature black berry fruit. Nothing sticking out.
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One of my favorite Carlisle zins of all time. What could be better a Zin made from the great Martinelli. Maybe a Carlisle Zin made from the wonderful Hayne fruit. Can't wait to try one.
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Have to admit, I glanced at the ratings and thought that people were crazy rating a zin at this level, and then I had it. Initial sour cherry that just needed a very little bit of oxygen to blow offer to open to a plethora of flavor, mixing the initial cherry/raspberry with other more nuanced cracked pepper leading to an earthy/minerally finish that just lasts, yet isn't harsh despite its relative youth, either at open or eight hours into it. Simply an awesome bottle of wine that all wines should hope to stack up to, especially when considering the price. I'd say it has another 2-3 years of peak life available, yet can't imagine how/why anyone would wait.
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Nose is concerning as there is a hint of alcohol, but that does not come through in tasting the wine. Maybe just a preconceived notion as wine weighs in at 15.8% ABV. Tastes of pure, dense black fruits with great acidity. Not jammy in the least. Wine has a luscious, almost creamy texture. Good finish with a bit of black pepper and spice.
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Very complex nose of incense, branble and blackberry. In the mouth, exuberant fruit with a touch of heat. Delicious effort that was hard to put down the glass. On day 2, the exuberance had mellowed and the heat was not as prominent.
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My favorite Carlisle zin so far. Interesting that I found it a bit clumsy ôn day 1 with abundant fruit but not much more going on. Day 2 after a night in the fridge reveals a structured, exuberant, and well-balanced wine. I've decanted Carlisle syrahs in the past but don't remember doing it with a zin. It's makes me rethink my approach.
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Huge nose of licorice, kirsch, and dark berries. The palate is smooth and rich with blackberries, a hint of vanilla, and a slight citrus note heralding the acid on the back end. Nice, tart finish. I love it.
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I decided to open my 2nd bottle since people were loving on this wine now, don't get me wrong it's a excellent bottle but still way too young to drink even with a decant. A bit angular due to a lack of integration from being too young, and the acid seems a little high. The flavor is spice, plum, and cherry and quite nice now even with the sharp acid notes. Give it at least 2 more years to reach those high scores IMO.
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P&p. The nose is reticent upon opening, but starts to become more alive with aggressive swirling, so the rest goes is decanter. With some time, Lots of blue and dark red fruits emerge, with blood, orange rind, cloves, and a rubber bouncy ball (yes, really). the palate is well balanced, and while the fruit is present, the acidity keeps it in check. Same goes with the 15.8% alcohol listed, it's obviously there, but not taking a starring role. Dark fruits shine, while pepper, and cocoa show through. Obviously young, and should improve over the next 3-5.
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15.8% alcohol. This is a smoking wine, classic Carlisle. Dark red-purple color. Fantastic bouquet of jammy black fruit, with spice, light oak, and minerals. In the mouth, big and brawny but also retains terrific balance -- what you don't find in too many big wines anymore and what Carlisle does better than anyone else on a consistent basis. Spicy and delicious. Just a greatly enjoyable wine. A-/A
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Aerated with Vinturi, which certainly helped. Dark ruby purple with pink edges. Nose of tart cherry mixed in with raspberry and mild baking spice from the oak. Really wonderful texture. Broad, and nicely focused. Finishes with very good balance. This is one of the better Carlisle Zins we've had; more balanced, less oak. Really good, and will drink nicely for several more years.
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Raspberry and briar fruit on the nose, very ripe fruit notes. I'd think this was a Turley if it were served blind. Very different from Carlisle's I've had in the past. Seemed much riper and without the dark, almost creosote like, notes I've seen on Carlisle's in the past. A fun and enjoyable wine - perfect for a BBQ.
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The best Zin producer in all of Cali does it again. Classic Zin profile, with a nice oak treatment to balance the flavors. Great stuff for a first year effort for this producer/vineyard combo.
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Took to Ann's parents Christmas eve day. Didn't taste it unfortunately as I had a fever. Comments were positive but that they all preferred another zin that Ann's brother brought. I believe called Hawley.
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Medium-bodied mixed berry fruit with bramble, smoke, earth, and slight raisin flavors, very tight, almost inaccessible even after 24 hours, excellent structure, probably a much bigger wine, medium finish, unclear if with time this wine will earn the accollades dawned on it by the critics
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Wow. Took about a half hour to harmonize, but so very tasty. Lip smacking chocolate ganache and red bramble fruit and white pepper spice and blackberry cream. I dd pick up a tiny bit of prune, especially at first, which I don't care for, but it folded in to become harmonious. For my palate, best to drink in the next 3 years.
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My first SV Carlisle. Let it sit in the decanter for about three hours in the cellar. Ripe berries, chocolate, pepper, and spice. No mistaken this is from Cali, but the ripe fruit wasn't too much and it went very well with lamb stuffed phyllo dough. Nice medium plus finish. Very enjoyable bottle.
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Well integrated but noticeable alc levels. This is big zin, the way it is supposed to be. ark berries, a little acidity and a touch of pepper and spice. Unfortunately as it warmed up (and also opened up), I picked up on some slight pruneish notes. Too young to exhibit these, so I am hoping it was an off bottle. Still very enjoyable, though, the pruner usually kills it for me.
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It's all there, great dark berry fruit, lovely acidity to balance the alcohol, no heat. A touch of oak that still needs time to integrate but this is seriously good already. Drunk without food with a very savvy french friend who kept on asking for a bit more! 92 now and its only going to get better.
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There is no doubt this is big fruit but not overwhelmingly so. Popped and poured and liked it immediately. Enogh acid to keep fresh and totally enjoyable!
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Big opulent ripe nose of dark berries, boysenberry, spice. Palate is dense and rich, with concentrated dark and slightly roasted spicy fruit flavors and black currant. A little zip to the acidity, but little tannin. Lengthy berry filled finish, milk chocolate. Despite the concentration, has a fresh, light mouthfeel. Needs time to shed some baby fat, but a delicious zin.
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Decanted about 5 hours. Lots of bramble and sweet raspberry on the nose, supported by blackberry and cake spice. Much more earthy on the palate, but as much fruitier. All the flavors are very intense and focused. The finish is long and spicy.
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Okay - So went to the Carlisle pick up - grabbed my bottles - headed up to Bodega bay - popped and poured at night by a big fire pit - wanted to drink something really good - but should have waited - this is not ready yet - give it time and it will develop beautifully - was a little all over the map right now - bit still good - medium/full body with fruits and spice - but the flavors didn't seem to be in balance yet... lots of potential - score will go up!!
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Opened after hearing Mike's enthusiasm about this wine. No notes, but remember very bright aromatics--berrys, held it's own well with spicy Indian food. Lot's of depth and complexity, will probably be good for many more years, but vey enjoyable now.
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1/27/2024 - Steve Fishback wrote: 91 Points
Wine is still drinking beautifully with generous zinfandel fruit and food friendly body. Maybe a little intensity has been exchanged for a nice elegance over the wines 15 years. 91
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11/13/2022 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark red color with very slight fading at the edges. Nose is dark fruited, blackberries. Beautiful, lush bramble fruit on the palate, blackberry, bit of raspberry, spicy. Beautiful acidity and balance. Finishes long and dark fruited. Bright and lovely. Throwing some sediment. There was a bit of heat detectable on Day 2 (15.8% ABV) but no heat on Day 1. Drink over the next 3 years. From 129 years old vines.
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7/21/2020 - rldixon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Although past its peak, according to the Carlisle website, this wine was an incredible example of how Zin can be rich and complex. Leather, live earth, black pepper, together with dark fruit and smooth tannins. Consumed over three days, by itself, with Point Reyes Bleu Cheese, and with cheese tortellini in arrabbiata sauce. Outstanding. Drink up.
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3/7/2019 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Similar to last tasting three years ago. Rich concentrated fruit in the nose and flavor. Black cherries, blackberries, plums, and hints of earthiness, spice and floral. Nice complexity and a medium to long finish.
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7/21/2018 - Ed B wrote: 91 Points
Decanted thru strainer (some medium-sized sediment) and drank after 45 minutes. Ruby red, with a hint of brown and very slightly orange rim. Not as opaque as most Carlisles. Medium body, i.e., light for a Carlisle. Raspberry/strawberry, with good spice and hints of licorice and blueberry. Long finish. A persistent tartness that would make it better with food. Is this wine now in that awkward space between young and mature? Nevertheless, quite enjoyable.
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5/13/2018 - tomlee wrote: 92 Points
Violet in color. 15.8% ABV. Sensational nose of red and blue fruits, flowers and licorice. Full bodied with just enough acidity. Big, dense and concentrated. Blueberries, cherries and white pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish with just a touch of heat. Delicious Zinfandel but missing some of the freshness I have come to expect from Carlisle. The bar is set so high here. Drink over the next year or so.
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1/20/2017 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92
Tasted non blind.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of potpourri, berries and cherries. Flavors of berries, raspberries and strawberries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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1/7/2017 - caldocane Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very ripe, accessible, food friendly wine. Enjoyed with meatloaf.
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12/15/2016 - michigan dogs Likes this wine: 93 Points
I don't think zin can get any better. I wish I had more of the 09's, what a great year for Carlisle. This wine was so vibrant, fresh, did not show any signs of age other than being balanced. I need to hold on to some of my older Carlisle's if I can.
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9/20/2016 - John Dunlap Likes this wine: 92 Points
Detailed notes not taken. Wine is simply outstanding for all three three days consumed. For those who still have this wine, enjoy now or for the next five years.
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8/31/2016 - Mr T wrote:
YUM....sweet raspberry and some spice...perfect PNP with grilled skirt steak
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6/4/2016 - dhammer53 wrote: 88 Points
I just read the notes on this wine prior to posting. Beats me what they're talking about? Slow ox'd for 60 minutes. Dark color. Nice nose. Smells great. A slightly sour taste and heat that would have warmed me up on a winter day. The heat overpowered whatever was good about this wine. There were some tannins at 120 minutes. I've had similar heat issues with other Carlisle zins. I wonder why? The wine was stored in my below ground cellar since I purchased from the winery.
Dinner at North Square in Greenwich Village.
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5/14/2016 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 94 Points
Par for the course delicious zin. Pop and pour. This wine is in prime time.
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5/5/2016 - sawira wrote: 94 Points
Spectacularly pure raspberries and cream. Silky. Amazing
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4/13/2016 - Night Train Likes this wine: 94 Points
Yowza! I knew this would be a little too sweet until it had breathed for an hour or two, but I thought it would pair well with peppercorn crusted steak. It did, indeed, but after we'd eaten, and after the wine had been open for about 90 minutes, it began to sing. Great nose - black cherries and a little heat. Tart cherries on the palate. Big time viscosity and fruit dancing on the tongue produced an almost spectacular finish. Wonderful stuff - probably at its peak.
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4/7/2016 - JFish Likes this wine:
Give this an hour or so of air and you will be rewarded. Excellent Carlisle zin - dark purple fruits, ripe but not overly so. Great effort by Mr. Officer.
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3/2/2016 - WestCoast wrote: 95 Points
Great Carlisle zin. Red and purple fruit. Lots of it, smooth and long finish. spice, zest. in a perfect place. dry, balanced. Love Carlisle and this is a great carlisle zin.
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2/23/2016 - buckeye76 wrote: 94 Points
RICH FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACK CHERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, CHERRIES AND HINTS OF SPICE. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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1/29/2016 - ephorn Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ripe creamy and earthy nose. Exotic and individual fruit flavor on palate. Vey good balance and finish. Medium tannin. This fell apart day two: fruit nearly disappears on palate and bitter alcohol spikes up. Rating for day one only
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1/12/2016 - sawira wrote: 93 Points
Superb balance. In addition to Mike's usual magical touch, this has an extra dimension of silkiness to it, and a bit of an aura of vibrancy. This 09 is one of my favorite Carlisle Zins.
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12/22/2015 - CMN Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pours an inky dark purple. Nose of blackberries, plums, white pepper and a violet note lingering in the background.
This is a massive wine with dense flavors of black and blue fruits. The palate is predominantly blackberry with a wonderful peppery note. This is a much bigger wine than I usually drink, but it never felt ponderous or heavy, and despite the 15.8%abv there is no heat whatsoever. The medium acidity allowed it to go well with prime New York strip. Tannins are fairly soft and well integrated at this point in the wine's development.
A delicious, crowd pleasing wine that has years of life still. This is not in my normal wheelhouse, but for the style, among the best I've ever consumed.
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11/16/2015 - wculpepper Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted. Poured one hour later. Deep ruby, nearly opaque. Great nose of blackberries and white pepper. Full-bodied intense jammy black fruit on the palate, balanced by acids and soft tannins. The aftertaste lingers quite long, continuing to echo the fruit. This is a fruit bomb, for sure. Perhaps the offspring of a blackberry liqueur and a port. No points for elegance, but it is quite enjoyable, nonetheless. Should be drinking well for another couple of years.
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8/31/2015 - wineduggery wrote: 88 Points
A fruit-bomb of a zin with little else. Even the typical spice note is fading. A bit port-like, but lacking complexity.
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8/26/2015 - Night Train Likes this wine: 90 Points
I am completely conflicted by this. A certain Wine magazine gave it a 94, and ten to 15 years ago, I would have called it a religious experience. Now, in my declining years, I am put off by "excessive" alcohol, and at 15.8%, this one certainly qualifies. For starters, it didn't really open up until about three hours after uncorking. Very nice nose - plums, assorted black fruit, and a hint of brown sugar. Medium body with monumentally humongous fruit on the palate. The fruit hung out in my nasal cavities for quite awhile, giving it a great finish. However, with every second or third sip, the heat and subtle Port-like characteristics emerged. I went from a score of 88 to 92 and back to 88. Just don't know what to make of this, and the final score is my average.
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6/19/2015 - btock wrote: 92 Points
This is about as saturated a zin I can remember tasting. While some zins like the older big ones Martinelli themselves got there with power from the alcohol, this is just dripping with fruit. Alcohol in the 15% range, but that juicy profile is unique. It's not a heavy/syrupy wine, nor dense like a hot central coast high octane syrah. No, this is just pure juicy blue and black fruits hanging on a frame with just enough acidity to stitch it together. Having had the '09 Papera recently, which was firmer, this impression was even more vivid to me. Will open my remaining bottle in the next 6-12 months to enjoy the fruit in current state. A fun wine, built by zin lovers for zin lovers
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6/9/2015 - kanab ram Likes this wine:
I'm a huge fan of the Carlisle style - elegant, refined, balanced and so on, but this was the yang of the yin and more on point with an Alban or SQN in style. Huge ripe juicy fruit layered with flavor and balance. Stunning.
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3/5/2015 - sawira wrote: 94 Points
Wow. One of the very best Carlisle Zins of all time for me, along with the 07 Papera, 07 and 08 Carlisle, and 02 Dry Creek. Absolutely perfect ripeness, with hints of dark plummy spicy raisins, yet also balanced with crisp bright crunchy red fruit. Great zing of acidity, perfect structural backbone, judicious vanillin oak that gives this that creamy grapesickle nuance, and a beautiful finish. Not a hint of heat, if anything this tastes like a cool climate old world young gem. So slurpable, yet classy and stylish all at once, this is the goods. At a perfectly taut and delicious peak, now and for another couple years, but this can only lose from here on out (though I'd love to try a bottle in ten years and see what magic might happen - if you do, call me then!).
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2/21/2015 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank over a weekend, great balance, velvet texture and supple red fruits and integrated oak, doesn't get much better for Zin in my book.
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12/12/2014 - MotoMannequin Likes this wine:
Pop-n-pour at cellar temp to a dark ruby color. Expressive nose of blueberries and strawberries, with some slight eucalyptus sneaking in. Palate carries an intense rush of blue and blackberries, white pepper, mint and nutmeg. Light and silky despite the density of the fruit. Long, brambly finish. Really excellent wine in a good place right now.
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12/12/2014 - zheem wrote: 93 Points
Upon opening the tannins were very prominent and lacked integration, but after several hours and especially on the second day they became much more balanced and fabulous flavors of cherry liqueur or creme de noyaux,and black walnuts came to the fore. An excellent bottle that I expect has several years of good to better drinking to come.
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11/6/2014 - Brsed wrote: 93 Points
Better on Day 2, a bit more integrated and refined with air. Deep and precise black fruit with some blueberry elements and a bit of chocolate on the finish. A sign that I should not be drinking my Carlisle's so early.
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10/16/2014 - skinut Likes this wine: 93 Points
I need to open more of my Carlisle instead of hoarding it like a miser. I really enjoy Mike's winemaking style and this really lets the Martinelli fruit shine through.
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9/20/2014 - Sennma wrote:
I like all the components here but they haven't quite stitched together yet. Will let the others rest for a while.
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8/13/2014 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another really excellent bottle of wine from Mike.
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8/2/2014 - Dale M wrote: 93 Points
P&P. Without looking at Mike O’s vintage profile, the wine itself reveals 2009 was a very warm year, as it explodes with dark raspberry themed fruit, very decadent and tasty. A bit of structure on the back half keeps this from going over the top, a late arriving floral note appears that I have found to emerge on Zin’s as they age a little bit. A very good effort, and one to drink sooner rather than later I think
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6/17/2014 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really enjoyed. Decanted for about 90 minutes. Still with lots of bold fruit and spice. Excellent zin.
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6/13/2014 - budman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tons of fruit. A real gem. Thanks, Mike.
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5/11/2014 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
Simply delicious. Give it an hour to come together and be at it's best
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1/27/2014 - Mr T wrote:
sweet tasty raspberries...perfect on a cold winter night. Not sure I get anything complex but very tasty
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1/6/2014 - affordableCollector wrote: 92 Points
magenta, red, in color. dark fruit, cherry, raspberry, soil, sweet, spice, chocolate, raisin, on the nose. medium acid, medium tannins, on this chocolate finish.
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1/4/2014 - slywka7 wrote: 92 Points
Very dark purple, almost black in color. Nose of kirsch, blackberry, violets and blueberry. Very distinct nose and unlike any Carlisle I have had. Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry and blueberry. Long seductive finish. Impressed what Carlisle was able to do with this vineyard. Can't wait to try the Monte Rosso and the Hayne vineyard wines. Is there any producer making better Zins than Carlisle right now?
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9/8/2013 - Geoff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pure,great fruit, soft tannins, long finish. Not complex,but all in balance, a beautiful wine.
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9/1/2013 - sawira wrote: 92 Points
P&P, first night - This is blackberry liqueur oriented, with a touch of dry tannins and good spine of acid to balance the tasty, huge fruit. A tantalizing slightly bitter herbal detail in the mid-palate adds complexity. No heat. Second night - Better, more crunch appearing at the end. Tannins and acid disappearing but still underneath as this is evolving to a boisterous, extravagant, varnishy red and purple fruited liqueur. Guess some of these 09s need some time, and this one for sure. I think this will have a narrow window, but still needs a year or so to bring out these goods. I have a couple more and will drink them 2015 and 2016. Upgraded from 90 to 92pts.
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8/16/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lush, perfectly balanced and delicious.
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6/9/2013 - Acohen wrote: 91 Points
Much better on second day as tight and tannic on opening. Second day showed big mature bramble fruit
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5/30/2013 - michigan dogs Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted vs. a turley 08 Dragon vineyard zin. 1st day, Turley much better.
I would give the Carlisle a 88 rating for the 1st day, but by the 2nd and 3rd day, the Carlisle was much better 93+. Just such a well made wine, wished I had more than 1 left- as good as zin can get!
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5/27/2013 - gzim Likes this wine: 91 Points
very nice big fruited wine. to me a bit over the top juicy, but very easy drinking. No heat at all, just very nice mature black berry fruit. Nothing sticking out.
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3/11/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 95 Points
One of my favorite Carlisle zins of all time. What could be better a Zin made from the great Martinelli. Maybe a Carlisle Zin made from the wonderful Hayne fruit. Can't wait to try one.
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3/9/2013 - mrmedoes Likes this wine: 94 Points
Have to admit, I glanced at the ratings and thought that people were crazy rating a zin at this level, and then I had it. Initial sour cherry that just needed a very little bit of oxygen to blow offer to open to a plethora of flavor, mixing the initial cherry/raspberry with other more nuanced cracked pepper leading to an earthy/minerally finish that just lasts, yet isn't harsh despite its relative youth, either at open or eight hours into it. Simply an awesome bottle of wine that all wines should hope to stack up to, especially when considering the price. I'd say it has another 2-3 years of peak life available, yet can't imagine how/why anyone would wait.
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2/26/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Terrific focus, intensity and personality. This is a wonderful wine from a notable historic vineyard.
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1/25/2013 - ericed wrote: 91 Points
Nose is concerning as there is a hint of alcohol, but that does not come through in tasting the wine. Maybe just a preconceived notion as wine weighs in at 15.8% ABV. Tastes of pure, dense black fruits with great acidity. Not jammy in the least. Wine has a luscious, almost creamy texture. Good finish with a bit of black pepper and spice.
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1/12/2013 - DPMc wrote: 92 Points
Pure red fruit with a lengthy finish. No heat and plenty of acid for structure. Very nice.
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1/9/2013 - bubbachumps wrote: 93 Points
Very complex nose of incense, branble and blackberry. In the mouth, exuberant fruit with a touch of heat. Delicious effort that was hard to put down the glass. On day 2, the exuberance had mellowed and the heat was not as prominent.
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12/25/2012 - gzim Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great stuff.
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11/17/2012 - vinocerus wrote:
My favorite Carlisle zin so far. Interesting that I found it a bit clumsy ôn day 1 with abundant fruit but not much more going on. Day 2 after a night in the fridge reveals a structured, exuberant, and well-balanced wine. I've decanted Carlisle syrahs in the past but don't remember doing it with a zin. It's makes me rethink my approach.
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10/24/2012 - B Paul wrote:
Slightly corked. Too bad because from what I could discern it would've been great otherwise.
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10/19/2012 - Uglypinga wrote:
Huge nose of licorice, kirsch, and dark berries. The palate is smooth and rich with blackberries, a hint of vanilla, and a slight citrus note heralding the acid on the back end. Nice, tart finish. I love it.
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9/22/2012 - DavidDay wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful berry fruit carries medium-full body flawlessly
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9/9/2012 - haldolugr wrote: 88 Points
I decided to open my 2nd bottle since people were loving on this wine now, don't get me wrong it's a excellent bottle but still way too young to drink even with a decant. A bit angular due to a lack of integration from being too young, and the acid seems a little high. The flavor is spice, plum, and cherry and quite nice now even with the sharp acid notes. Give it at least 2 more years to reach those high scores IMO.
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8/18/2012 - Wop wrote: 95 Points
Stunning Zin from Mike Officer.
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7/19/2012 - jdabrowski1027 wrote: 91 Points
P&p. The nose is reticent upon opening, but starts to become more alive with aggressive swirling, so the rest goes is decanter. With some time, Lots of blue and dark red fruits emerge, with blood, orange rind, cloves, and a rubber bouncy ball (yes, really). the palate is well balanced, and while the fruit is present, the acidity keeps it in check. Same goes with the 15.8% alcohol listed, it's obviously there, but not taking a starring role. Dark fruits shine, while pepper, and cocoa show through. Obviously young, and should improve over the next 3-5.
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6/18/2012 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Soft, elegant-style Zin, previous note apply, not my favorite among the Carlisle Zins
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6/9/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 93 Points
Just incredible. Great upfront fruit but wonderful balance and fantastic finish. Love this stuff!
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6/5/2012 - gutt22 wrote:
15.8% alcohol. This is a smoking wine, classic Carlisle. Dark red-purple color. Fantastic bouquet of jammy black fruit, with spice, light oak, and minerals. In the mouth, big and brawny but also retains terrific balance -- what you don't find in too many big wines anymore and what Carlisle does better than anyone else on a consistent basis. Spicy and delicious. Just a greatly enjoyable wine. A-/A
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5/28/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 94 Points
Maybe the best zin I have ever had. Just exceptional in every way. Incredible
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5/3/2012 - nectar14 wrote: 93 Points
Aerated with Vinturi, which certainly helped. Dark ruby purple with pink edges. Nose of tart cherry mixed in with raspberry and mild baking spice from the oak. Really wonderful texture. Broad, and nicely focused. Finishes with very good balance. This is one of the better Carlisle Zins we've had; more balanced, less oak. Really good, and will drink nicely for several more years.
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4/7/2012 - DavidDay wrote: 95 Points
A near perfect zinfandel, red berries on the nose, bright fruit on the palate, medium long finish, alcohol in balance with tannins and fruit.
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3/19/2012 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful earthy, round, medium-bodied, mixed berry fruit, more open, very round, previous notes apply
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3/11/2012 - H.W. Crabb wrote: 91 Points
Raspberry and briar fruit on the nose, very ripe fruit notes. I'd think this was a Turley if it were served blind. Very different from Carlisle's I've had in the past. Seemed much riper and without the dark, almost creosote like, notes I've seen on Carlisle's in the past. A fun and enjoyable wine - perfect for a BBQ.
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2/20/2012 - deltacop wrote: 90 Points
Very nice easy to drink med bodied zin. Enjoyable!
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2/10/2012 - pakabear wrote: 92 Points
The best Zin producer in all of Cali does it again. Classic Zin profile, with a nice oak treatment to balance the flavors. Great stuff for a first year effort for this producer/vineyard combo.
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1/25/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 94 Points
Awesome wine. Amazing softness yet great fruit and depth.
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12/27/2011 - Outplaying wrote:
Took to Ann's parents Christmas eve day. Didn't taste it unfortunately as I had a fever. Comments were positive but that they all preferred another zin that Ann's brother brought. I believe called Hawley.
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12/7/2011 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Medium-bodied mixed berry fruit with bramble, smoke, earth, and slight raisin flavors, very tight, almost inaccessible even after 24 hours, excellent structure, probably a much bigger wine, medium finish, unclear if with time this wine will earn the accollades dawned on it by the critics
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11/20/2011 - silton wrote: 92 Points
Wow. Took about a half hour to harmonize, but so very tasty. Lip smacking chocolate ganache and red bramble fruit and white pepper spice and blackberry cream. I dd pick up a tiny bit of prune, especially at first, which I don't care for, but it folded in to become harmonious. For my palate, best to drink in the next 3 years.
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11/4/2011 - etherscreen wrote:
a lovely, complex, and interesting bottle of zin. i'll be buying more next release.
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10/20/2011 - Dale M wrote: 92 Points
I'm feeling lazy on this tn, Vinsant's note and score are spot on.
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10/17/2011 - Vinsant wrote: 92 Points
My first SV Carlisle. Let it sit in the decanter for about three hours in the cellar. Ripe berries, chocolate, pepper, and spice. No mistaken this is from Cali, but the ripe fruit wasn't too much and it went very well with lamb stuffed phyllo dough. Nice medium plus finish. Very enjoyable bottle.
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10/8/2011 - Lessthanzero wrote: 89 Points
Well integrated but noticeable alc levels. This is big zin, the way it is supposed to be. ark berries, a little acidity and a touch of pepper and spice. Unfortunately as it warmed up (and also opened up), I picked up on some slight pruneish notes. Too young to exhibit these, so I am hoping it was an off bottle. Still very enjoyable, though, the pruner usually kills it for me.
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10/4/2011 - Wop wrote: 92 Points
It's all there, great dark berry fruit, lovely acidity to balance the alcohol, no heat. A touch of oak that still needs time to integrate but this is seriously good already. Drunk without food with a very savvy french friend who kept on asking for a bit more! 92 now and its only going to get better.
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9/24/2011 - DavidDay wrote: 94 Points
Big red berry fruit nose, full bodied, rich on the palate.
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9/17/2011 - Mike Dildine wrote: 94 Points
From vines planted in the late 19th Century, this is a stunning example of old vine Zinfandel.
Very expressive. Deep, dark, rich red and black fruit profile. Exceptional focus and balance.
I would expect this to develop well for 4-7 years. Delicious.
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9/4/2011 - Stumpy wrote: 91 Points
There is no doubt this is big fruit but not overwhelmingly so. Popped and poured and liked it immediately. Enogh acid to keep fresh and totally enjoyable!
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8/30/2011 - Nutty08 wrote: 93 Points
Big opulent ripe nose of dark berries, boysenberry, spice. Palate is dense and rich, with concentrated dark and slightly roasted spicy fruit flavors and black currant. A little zip to the acidity, but little tannin. Lengthy berry filled finish, milk chocolate. Despite the concentration, has a fresh, light mouthfeel. Needs time to shed some baby fat, but a delicious zin.
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8/7/2011 - deltacop wrote: 91 Points
Nice but not as big a wine as I was expecting. Very smooth overall with nice lit flavors.
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8/1/2011 - mmurry Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted about 5 hours. Lots of bramble and sweet raspberry on the nose, supported by blackberry and cake spice. Much more earthy on the palate, but as much fruitier. All the flavors are very intense and focused. The finish is long and spicy.
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7/31/2011 - shadow wrote: 94 Points
yumm, not to much, just right, clean finish
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4/16/2011 - haldolugr wrote: 87 Points
Okay - So went to the Carlisle pick up - grabbed my bottles - headed up to Bodega bay - popped and poured at night by a big fire pit - wanted to drink something really good - but should have waited - this is not ready yet - give it time and it will develop beautifully - was a little all over the map right now - bit still good - medium/full body with fruits and spice - but the flavors didn't seem to be in balance yet... lots of potential - score will go up!!
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4/12/2011 - zheem wrote: 93 Points
Opened after hearing Mike's enthusiasm about this wine. No notes, but remember very bright aromatics--berrys, held it's own well with spicy Indian food. Lot's of depth and complexity, will probably be good for many more years, but vey enjoyable now.
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