Vibrant, opaque ruby-red, slight fading at the rim. Cherry and spice aroma. Juicy on the palate, bramble fruits, raspberry, blackberry. Nicely resolved tannins, good acidity and balance. Finishes long and spicy. At 13 years still a vibrant Zin. Should drink well for another 3 years or so. A field blend from vines planted in 1906. 16.2% ABV but no heat.
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I can't remember when I've enjoyed a wine more. The nose is absolutely intoxicating. the wine is so smooth with tons of dark fruit. Beautifully made and proves once again that's Mike's wines only get better with age. I so wish I had more.
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Another wonderful Zin example from a difficult harvest year. This was full of dark fruit, but definitely not too much, well balanced with pepper, acidity, and tannins. It was likely past its peak, but it was still delicious with a little Point Reyes Bleu Cheese.
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Typically try to drink my Zins earlier than all other varietals - as they seem to be best in their youth. Still, this one showed rather well, even with the lack of tannin. 91-92
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Not as smooth as the 09s we had this past month. Opened up nicely with a couple of hours of air, but still just nt here the 09s are, If you can hold till fall 2018, I would. Left a glass for the next day, still has strong mouthfell but the heat holds off the fruit. A good big Zin judt needs a little longer in bottle.
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Great bottle. Decanted for about 1 hour. Blackberry and dark cherry with balanced earthy tones, great finish and complexity . Unfortunately this was my only bottle. Looking forward to opening younger vintages in the future.
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pepper and dark plum notes to the nose, bright acid back bone and soft tannins-lots of fruit to keep alcohol in balance. Drank well but unlike the other reviews did no grab me as much as other Zins from Carlisle. Day 2 drank well as well, maybe better.
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One of the best Zins I have tasted in a while. Surely the best I have tasted at 16.2% alcohol. Tannin and acid finish to keep the moderate up front fruit in balance. I appreciate a leaner style but this wine reminded me that leaner and balance can come from a high alcohol wine.
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Man I really love this wine. I wish Carlisle could source this vineyard again. I was lucky enough to find another two botyles leaving me with two left.
This is a beast of a wine. 16.2%. It probably is now at the right time to drink them. Not sure how much window time is left.
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This is superb. Very deep, ripe, full red fruits, yet retaining a crunchy crispness and delineation to balance the bomb fruit. Wonderfully precise oak treatment, and an adequately long finish to juxtapose the phenomenal mid palate. Mike's really getting this down! At a lovely peak right now, and for another couple years max. Wish I had more of this jewel.
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No formal notes, but I remember this as slightly more jammy, and lacking some of that earthy bite and 'x' factor that some of Mike's top vineyards have. Still, I remember this being exceptionally delicious and pleasantly surprised. I might be getting the sense of the '10 vintage with Carlisle Zins, as they tend to be red fruited, bright, but also a bit awkward, though maybe only slightly so.
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A big wine, but fun to drink. Just delicious fruit, masked it's 16% body. Slurpable. This drank young, could hold 1-3 years more and still get that solid zin profile.
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Carlisle Winemaker Dinner with Mike Officer (Luciana's, Dana Point, CA): Kooky Fanucchi! Carlisle doesn't make wine from this vineyard any longer, it's mixed blacks. Very dark color. Mulded red berries on the nose. Medium spice and blackberry fruit. Very spicy, long finish. Seems like this is high octane.
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Carlisle In The OC: This was my least preferred in the flight, as it went as the middle wine between the 2009 Monte Rosso and the 2011 Papera, both zinfandel. The Fanucchi showed berry jam, higher alcohol, iron and some heat. The challenge I have with bigger wines like this is the alcohol. This is why in this flight I preferred the 2011 Papera, for its better balance.
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A medium weight Zin that is drinking great. Beautiful brambly fruit, good concentration and I have to add, a terrific bargain for this quality. Did not find it heavy or alcoholic but rather refined. Nice job Mike!
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Deep ruby-garnet color. Rich cherry flavors with plenty of zin spice evolving into blueberry and leather over several hours. Very well balanced and structured. Superb RRV Zinfandel. Along with the Old Vines, this may be the best of 2010 Carlisles.
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16.2% ABV. Slightly translucent dark garnet in the glass. An outstanding example of RRV Zinfandel. Loaded with baking spice and sweet zinberry fruit. Delicious.
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An incredible Zin defininitely one of best Carlisle wines I've ever had the pleasure to drink. Too bad only 120 cases were made. Mike now has most if not all of the great old Zinfandel sites under contract. I will definitely treasure my last bottle of this wine
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Everyone really sparked to this following a WS Pinot. Racy acid mixed with a mouth full of jam. Well structured and surprised folks with the alcohol level that it's not hot out of the bottle. All jammy!
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Dark crimson-red color. Abundant cherry fruit followed by rich plum flavors and a bit of oak. Bright acidity. No overly rich or over ripe flavors, just really good and superbly balanced Zin, especially considering its reported 16.2 ABV. Textbook intro to Carlisle's RRV style.
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This was really good! Amazing purity of fruit, huge amounts of strawberry, cherry cola and pomegranate with integrated oak mixed in the gaps. I still can't believe the 16.2 alcohol, I detected no noticeable heat...
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It's funny how your tastes change. There was a time where I loved wines like this. As one of the other tasters noted, the fruit is explosive. This is a fruit bomb with a little vanilla and spice. It reminded me of a Turley, though without as much wood/cedar. Ann loved it but I couldn't drink more than a glass actually. Well made if you like this style but just not where my tastes are now.
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Soft, medium-bodied mixed berry fruit with brawny, subtle floral, earthy flavors, very good structure, medium finish but wine seemed to lack depth and complexity typical of other Carlisle Zins
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Pure raspberry and wild blackberry; very floral/fumey; hot rocks and gravel, briar patch but more fruity, jammy with a touch of clove/anise; rich concentrated mouth with explosive fruit, but not heavy or gooey; nice long bright red fruit and spice finish. Excellent quality.
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8/31/2023 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 90 Points
Vibrant, opaque ruby-red, slight fading at the rim. Cherry and spice aroma. Juicy on the palate, bramble fruits, raspberry, blackberry. Nicely resolved tannins, good acidity and balance. Finishes long and spicy. At 13 years still a vibrant Zin. Should drink well for another 3 years or so. A field blend from vines planted in 1906. 16.2% ABV but no heat.
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7/20/2022 - oaxaca90049 wrote: 95 Points
I can't remember when I've enjoyed a wine more. The nose is absolutely intoxicating. the wine is so smooth with tons of dark fruit. Beautifully made and proves once again that's Mike's wines only get better with age. I so wish I had more.
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7/18/2022 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent and still super fresh. Closer to 93 than 91
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10/27/2020 - Matzdj wrote:
Super wine. Even more full bodied than most Carlisle wines.Ravenswood had a fantastic WoodcRoad. This is a great grandchild.
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7/11/2020 - rldixon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another wonderful Zin example from a difficult harvest year. This was full of dark fruit, but definitely not too much, well balanced with pepper, acidity, and tannins. It was likely past its peak, but it was still delicious with a little Point Reyes Bleu Cheese.
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2/25/2020 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 92 Points
Typically try to drink my Zins earlier than all other varietals - as they seem to be best in their youth. Still, this one showed rather well, even with the lack of tannin. 91-92
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11/23/2018 - Ed B wrote: 89 Points
PnP at a dinner party. No detailed notes. Drinking fine; no need to hurry. Changed drinking date thru 2020
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10/23/2018 - Rktekt3 wrote: 94 Points
Drink them if you got them.
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12/31/2017 - jfkwines wrote:
Not as smooth as the 09s we had this past month. Opened up nicely with a couple of hours of air, but still just nt here the 09s are, If you can hold till fall 2018, I would. Left a glass for the next day, still has strong mouthfell but the heat holds off the fruit. A good big Zin judt needs a little longer in bottle.
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6/11/2017 - mdahar wrote: 85 Points
no integration taste just of alcohol
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3/22/2017 - kanab ram Likes this wine:
Very refined. Pretty and elegant style.
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3/11/2017 - Sbaskin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great bottle. Decanted for about 1 hour. Blackberry and dark cherry with balanced earthy tones, great finish and complexity . Unfortunately this was my only bottle. Looking forward to opening younger vintages in the future.
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9/24/2016 - Rktekt3 wrote: 94 Points
Please Mike, contact the owner of this vineyard and ask for more grapes.
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5/21/2016 - jfkwines wrote: 92 Points
Killer
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3/9/2016 - jaumealaska Likes this wine: 90 Points
pepper and dark plum notes to the nose, bright acid back bone and soft tannins-lots of fruit to keep alcohol in balance. Drank well but unlike the other reviews did no grab me as much as other Zins from Carlisle. Day 2 drank well as well, maybe better.
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1/22/2016 - ravbik wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful rich zin
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1/12/2016 - dlduchon wrote: 94 Points
One of the best Zins I have tasted in a while. Surely the best I have tasted at 16.2% alcohol. Tannin and acid finish to keep the moderate up front fruit in balance. I appreciate a leaner style but this wine reminded me that leaner and balance can come from a high alcohol wine.
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12/23/2015 - Rktekt3 wrote: 94 Points
Just one solid zinfandel. Wish Mike could source this vineyard again.
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11/6/2015 - skinut Likes this wine: 92 Points
A big hit. Everyone really liked it. Fresh red and dark fruit, a tad sweet on the palate. Restrained tannins added some complexity.
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8/25/2015 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow. Delicious!. Great fruit and balance.
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8/11/2015 - Rktekt3 wrote: 93 Points
Man I really love this wine. I wish Carlisle could source this vineyard again. I was lucky enough to find another two botyles leaving me with two left.
This is a beast of a wine. 16.2%. It probably is now at the right time to drink them. Not sure how much window time is left.
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3/22/2015 - sawira wrote: 93 Points
This is superb. Very deep, ripe, full red fruits, yet retaining a crunchy crispness and delineation to balance the bomb fruit. Wonderfully precise oak treatment, and an adequately long finish to juxtapose the phenomenal mid palate. Mike's really getting this down! At a lovely peak right now, and for another couple years max. Wish I had more of this jewel.
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3/8/2015 - Rktekt3 wrote: 94 Points
I love this wine. In have two left.
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2/5/2015 - sawira wrote:
No formal notes, but I remember this as slightly more jammy, and lacking some of that earthy bite and 'x' factor that some of Mike's top vineyards have. Still, I remember this being exceptionally delicious and pleasantly surprised. I might be getting the sense of the '10 vintage with Carlisle Zins, as they tend to be red fruited, bright, but also a bit awkward, though maybe only slightly so.
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8/28/2014 - btock Likes this wine: 91 Points
A big wine, but fun to drink. Just delicious fruit, masked it's 16% body. Slurpable. This drank young, could hold 1-3 years more and still get that solid zin profile.
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5/4/2014 - brigcampbell wrote:
Carlisle Winemaker Dinner with Mike Officer (Luciana's, Dana Point, CA): Kooky Fanucchi! Carlisle doesn't make wine from this vineyard any longer, it's mixed blacks. Very dark color. Mulded red berries on the nose. Medium spice and blackberry fruit. Very spicy, long finish. Seems like this is high octane.
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5/3/2014 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Carlisle In The OC: This was my least preferred in the flight, as it went as the middle wine between the 2009 Monte Rosso and the 2011 Papera, both zinfandel. The Fanucchi showed berry jam, higher alcohol, iron and some heat. The challenge I have with bigger wines like this is the alcohol. This is why in this flight I preferred the 2011 Papera, for its better balance.
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3/13/2014 - mswen wrote: 91 Points
A medium weight Zin that is drinking great. Beautiful brambly fruit, good concentration and I have to add, a terrific bargain for this quality. Did not find it heavy or alcoholic but rather refined. Nice job Mike!
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10/28/2013 - DavidDay wrote: 93 Points
Sweet red cherries and flowers, tremendous fruit balances the 16.2 alcohol seamlessly
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10/20/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful wine in the Carlisle style. Red and black fruit, great length and balance. Distinctive red fruit profile.
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9/29/2013 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep ruby-garnet color. Rich cherry flavors with plenty of zin spice evolving into blueberry and leather over several hours. Very well balanced and structured. Superb RRV Zinfandel. Along with the Old Vines, this may be the best of 2010 Carlisles.
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8/30/2013 - kenthargis wrote: 91 Points
Quite tasty. Fruit was brambly, rich. Alcohol wasn't out of line. In a good spot. Drink now or hold for a bit.
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6/19/2013 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 93 Points
16.2% ABV. Slightly translucent dark garnet in the glass. An outstanding example of RRV Zinfandel. Loaded with baking spice and sweet zinberry fruit. Delicious.
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5/19/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 93 Points
An incredible Zin defininitely one of best Carlisle wines I've ever had the pleasure to drink. Too bad only 120 cases were made. Mike now has most if not all of the great old Zinfandel sites under contract. I will definitely treasure my last bottle of this wine
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5/19/2013 - DavidDay Likes this wine: 93 Points
Textbook Russian River Zinfandel, sweet red cherries, flowers and mint in the nose. Red berries on the palate, full bodied and smooth.
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4/5/2013 - Rktekt3 wrote: 93 Points
Awesome. I really am enjoying this. A lot of fruit and some heat but not too much. Opened up a bit more after one hour.
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4/3/2013 - haldolugr wrote: 90 Points
Everyone really sparked to this following a WS Pinot. Racy acid mixed with a mouth full of jam. Well structured and surprised folks with the alcohol level that it's not hot out of the bottle. All jammy!
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2/10/2013 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark crimson-red color. Abundant cherry fruit followed by rich plum flavors and a bit of oak. Bright acidity. No overly rich or over ripe flavors, just really good and superbly balanced Zin, especially considering its reported 16.2 ABV. Textbook intro to Carlisle's RRV style.
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1/18/2013 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was really good! Amazing purity of fruit, huge amounts of strawberry, cherry cola and pomegranate with integrated oak mixed in the gaps. I still can't believe the 16.2 alcohol, I detected no noticeable heat...
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12/25/2012 - haldolugr wrote: 92 Points
Jammy blueberry and blackberry fruit, vibrant and racy but really smooth. Everyone enjoyed it. A lively zin that fit the mood of the room.
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12/23/2012 - Outplaying wrote:
It's funny how your tastes change. There was a time where I loved wines like this. As one of the other tasters noted, the fruit is explosive. This is a fruit bomb with a little vanilla and spice. It reminded me of a Turley, though without as much wood/cedar. Ann loved it but I couldn't drink more than a glass actually. Well made if you like this style but just not where my tastes are now.
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12/17/2012 - Amerique wrote: 90 Points
Soft, medium-bodied mixed berry fruit with brawny, subtle floral, earthy flavors, very good structure, medium finish but wine seemed to lack depth and complexity typical of other Carlisle Zins
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9/20/2012 - otisabdul wrote: 91 Points
Floral notes on the nose. Bright raspberry boysenberry flavors, with a slight pine note on the finish. Refreshing and fun to drink.
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8/6/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 92 Points
Great bright berry flavors. Soft round mouth feel and long finish. Another great zin from Carlisle.
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4/5/2012 - peternelson wrote: 92 Points
Pure raspberry and wild blackberry; very floral/fumey; hot rocks and gravel, briar patch but more fruity, jammy with a touch of clove/anise; rich concentrated mouth with explosive fruit, but not heavy or gooey; nice long bright red fruit and spice finish. Excellent quality.
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