When I opened this for OTBN, I was shocked, given my prior bottle in July, 2020. While that bottle was disappointing, this bottle was especially fine: one of the nicest Zins I've had.Wonderfully fragrant, inky in color, an explosion of dark fruit and active black pepper/spices that evolved over the evening.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2010 was a very tough harvest year for NorCal: results across wines by the same maker have been variable in my experience. This wine is a good example of the left-hand side of the distribution. I've had some very nice 2010s, but this was not one of them. I'm glad others have found this wine to be typical Carlisle-great, but not this one, for me. I have one more bottle of this, and curious what it will be...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From 100 year old vines with this vintage. This is the way zinfandel should taste. Lush red fruits on the nose. Raspberries, blackberries, tart cherries, warm spice on the palate. Beautiful balance, firm tannins, nice acidity. This is a lush and lovely wine. Finishes fairly long with red fruits and spice. Plenty of life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just awesome. Super dark in the glass with zero sign of age. Wild raspberry and baking spice goodness on the nose and palate, with a slight savory notes on the finish. Beautiful integration of flavors and a perfect streak of acidity to keep this incredibly fresh and lively. Everything I'm looking for tonight.
The kind of bottle that just makes you smile after taking a sniff and a sip and say "man, I freaking love good wine"
Absolutely no rush but it's awesome right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hot, overripe, unbalanced for food. But a nice finish, with a touch of leanness as a complete contrast. A touch of turpentine/cleaning fluid mixed with chambord on the nose. Perhaps, serve as dessert or an aperitif alternative to a hard drink. What could this have been if picked earlier. Times have changed. I don't think time will improve it much. I am a Carlisle fan and perhaps Mike made this much better considering the grapes he was provided.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served blind. Weird wine. Blistering alcohol combined with blackberry fruit, which is ripe but has zero sweetness. Has some of the turpentine character I associate with southern Iberian reds. No structure whatsoever. I'm told this was a heat-shocked vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Unequivocally improving with age, the '10 Rossi Ranch is full of zest and life, along with depth. Loaded with the ideal acidity, the dark fruit and white spice are phenomenal, along with the tension-filled tannins. Sunny and deep. Drink now - 2021.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aromas and flavors of blueberry, raspberry and boysenberry. This doesn't have the typical explosion of fruit I've had with these in the best years (by Carlisle standards) but this still packs a nice punch. Took a while for it to come around though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped & poured. Nose of pencil shavings & fresh saw dust, brambly, wild berry. Medium depth of color. Raspberry licorice on front end, with cracked pepper on mid-palate, & wild game on long, layered & fresh finish. Nice level of acid to tannin ratio. Stunning & keeps getting better with each taste! One of top Carlisle's ever consumed!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/4/2022 - rldixon Likes this wine: 94 Points
When I opened this for OTBN, I was shocked, given my prior bottle in July, 2020. While that bottle was disappointing, this bottle was especially fine: one of the nicest Zins I've had.Wonderfully fragrant, inky in color, an explosion of dark fruit and active black pepper/spices that evolved over the evening.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/9/2020 - rldixon Likes this wine: 88 Points
2010 was a very tough harvest year for NorCal: results across wines by the same maker have been variable in my experience. This wine is a good example of the left-hand side of the distribution. I've had some very nice 2010s, but this was not one of them. I'm glad others have found this wine to be typical Carlisle-great, but not this one, for me. I have one more bottle of this, and curious what it will be...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2020 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 91 Points
Last bottle still going strong. Plenty of fruit. Some acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2019 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 94 Points
From 100 year old vines with this vintage. This is the way zinfandel should taste. Lush red fruits on the nose. Raspberries, blackberries, tart cherries, warm spice on the palate. Beautiful balance, firm tannins, nice acidity. This is a lush and lovely wine. Finishes fairly long with red fruits and spice. Plenty of life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2017 - RichEB1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just awesome. Super dark in the glass with zero sign of age. Wild raspberry and baking spice goodness on the nose and palate, with a slight savory notes on the finish. Beautiful integration of flavors and a perfect streak of acidity to keep this incredibly fresh and lively. Everything I'm looking for tonight.
The kind of bottle that just makes you smile after taking a sniff and a sip and say "man, I freaking love good wine"
Absolutely no rush but it's awesome right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2016 - dlduchon wrote: 80 Points
Hot, overripe, unbalanced for food. But a nice finish, with a touch of leanness as a complete contrast. A touch of turpentine/cleaning fluid mixed with chambord on the nose. Perhaps, serve as dessert or an aperitif alternative to a hard drink. What could this have been if picked earlier. Times have changed. I don't think time will improve it much. I am a Carlisle fan and perhaps Mike made this much better considering the grapes he was provided.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2016 - cooberp Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Served blind. Weird wine. Blistering alcohol combined with blackberry fruit, which is ripe but has zero sweetness. Has some of the turpentine character I associate with southern Iberian reds. No structure whatsoever. I'm told this was a heat-shocked vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2015 - michigan dogs Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mike Scott's note is spot on, exceptional
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2015 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 94 Points
Unequivocally improving with age, the '10 Rossi Ranch is full of zest and life, along with depth. Loaded with the ideal acidity, the dark fruit and white spice are phenomenal, along with the tension-filled tannins. Sunny and deep. Drink now - 2021.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2014 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 92 Points
Great, big. The room filled with the aroma when opened. No heat despite 16% abv. Red fruit. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/15/2014 - slywka7 wrote: 89 Points
Aromas and flavors of blueberry, raspberry and boysenberry. This doesn't have the typical explosion of fruit I've had with these in the best years (by Carlisle standards) but this still packs a nice punch. Took a while for it to come around though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2014 - raydawgone Likes this wine: 96 Points
Popped & poured. Nose of pencil shavings & fresh saw dust, brambly, wild berry. Medium depth of color. Raspberry licorice on front end, with cracked pepper on mid-palate, & wild game on long, layered & fresh finish. Nice level of acid to tannin ratio. Stunning & keeps getting better with each taste! One of top Carlisle's ever consumed!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment