Deep purple color. Nice aromas of burnt rubber, licorice, black pepper, cinnamon, and blackberry. Ripe red fruit flavors with some pepper and licorice. Full body with nice balance and pleasant finish. Great value.
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Deep red core with purple tinges throughout. This is really gorgeous on the nose with a floral high toned texture and bright fruit notes of brambly red berry, kirsch, red licorice, floral herbs, and dusty earth. A cool airy profile without any overt heat. The flavors are really complex with notes of red currant, red berries, black pepper, licorice, herbs, and sweet stones. The palate is full bodied with great acidity and firm but approachable tannin bite. Superb fruit density supported by great structure from the acidity and tannins. This seems to have more balance and restraint than some of the other Carlisles I have been drinking lately. Simply brilliant. If you are looking for a sweet glossy Zinfandel you should probably avoid this.
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Opened with dinner. Not a good match for BBQ country pork ribs. Must be the spice in the wine fights the spice in the ribs? Still, a gorgeous nose of black raspberries, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Tart on first opening, but mellows in the glass after a half hour. Silky, luscious, tasty stuff! A joy to drink, this should drink well for several more years. 91 points. Open 6 days (4/18/09): Finished with my BiL Mark with my sausage Bolognese with whole wheat linguine. Has mellowed further. Really delicious now. More subtle and exotic flavors now. No sign of decline. This wine should drink best 2013–2018. Mark likes it a lot. Amazingly serious Zin for a Sonoma County bottling!
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Nose 95, taste 86. Incredible nose of kiwi, cassis, perfume, violets. A fruit carnival...Integrated....couldn't wait to drink it. Flavor was dead....almost asleep. muted fruit, hollow midpalate. Maybe I drank in a dumb phase.
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I agree with some of the other comments that this has lost some of it's fruit. I got a lot of acidity and alcohol. Pretty surprising for a big zin/syrah combo.
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LICORICE, BLACK CHERRIES, DEEP BERRY FRUITS, SPICE AND CHOCOLATE IN THE NOSE WITH RICH BERRY FRUIT, LICORICE, BLACK CHERRIES AND SPICE IN THE FLAVOR. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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Nose: Burned rubber, earthy, spicy (Nancy) Licorice, graphite, maybe blackberry and some dark plum (me). Sweet plum flavors, dark fruits and berries and a bit of oak spiciness. Slightly bitter finish. Moderate mouth feel. Good value.
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My last of these delicious zinfandel's and the best so far. Wish I had a few more to follow over the years. Very dark red purple, no cloudiness whatsoever. Nose of dark fruit , blackberry, black cherry, a bit of light pepper and earth. Palate is rich and full and in perfect balance. Fruity without being "over The top". This incredible zin is drinking beautifully.. I would say if you have them, the time is right. Again, absolutely delicious.
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More restrained than the last bottle and it is taking on some of the Claret aspects of Zin. Not terribly complex, must well-made a great QPR. A nice wine, but drink up.
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Not sensing much on the nose at this point but the taste was classic zin. It held up well to the blue cheese encrusted strip steak and it will be interesting to note how this develops throughout the evening of the Tony Awards. Great QPR!
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Delicious zin - spicy, briary , peppery - yumm. Full bodied with great structure and a nice, easy going finish. This really has improved in the past year. My Mother-In-Law said this is the best zinfandel she has ever drank.
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Delicious zin. Sorry to have only one more of these left but happy to have almost case of the '06 on the way!!!! Very nice balance with zinbery fruit and a bit of pepper.
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My first Carlisle - not sure what to make of this wine. It was good, but my expectations were maybe a bit too high. It had that classic bramby zin profile I find appealing along with some dark cherries and raspberries. This wine was pretty well balanced too - maybe it was me that was having an off night. Have 3 more in the cellar - we'll see how they develop.
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Classic Carlsile nose, big, peppery, rich and brambly, with that classic Carlisle concentration. I'm not sure that there's another producer in California that is so immedietely identifiable - and I know Mike doesn't like to admit to a style...but Man, this is Carlisle. In the mouth it is powerful and concentrated with waves of gorgeous Zinfandel fruit, raspberries, strawberries and ripe black plums with a solid, intense and deeply flavored core of fruit...the only negative is the slightly tannic note that (only slightly) interferes with the bright and bold finish. I know that there's Syrah in here, you can just sense it (kind of like the addition of Viogner to TL Hermitage - you know it's there, and it's beautiful, but it's the dominant varietal that gets your attention).....wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone who made wine made it this well.
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I'm not sure I really like the Carlisle style. It was good from the first sip showing a lot of fruit and had good flow. As the wine warmed up a little and aired it actually seems to lose some of its cohesion. It started to fall apart. The second, third, fourth...sips just never acheived the quality of the first sip. I know people love these wines, but I'm coming to the conclusion that it is not my cup of tea.
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Nice Zin! Popped and poured. Nice right out of the chute but improved over the life of the bottle which was fairly short. Nice garnet color and fruity spicy nose. Explosion of cherry on the palate with wonderful balance and good complexity. Another stunner from Carlisle. It just don't get much better than this. BRAVO MIKE!!!
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raspberries, vanilla, and maybe a touch of licorice on the nose. the palate follows suit. nothing terribly complex, but easy drinking. finishes spicy and a bit hot. nice value at $20. will revisit tomorrow.
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A nice expression of Sonoma Zinfandel. Notwithstanding the RRV fruit in there, this tasted very Dry Creek to me. Kind of reminiscent of Rafanelli (a very high compliment). Brambly blackberry and toast on the nose following through with some spicy raspberry and cherry on the palate. Medium body with a little bit of tannic grip on the finish. Nice with food and without. Not the most complex wine in the world, but solidly made and well balanced. This is drinking well now and I see no reason to wait any longer. Enjoy.
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Brambly nose with vanilla and some heat. Palate shows raspberry, little bit of cherry and game and a nice grip of acidity. Fits well with the dinner we had. I would have never guessed this wine was 1/4 syrah but when I taste it, knowing this fact, I can sense the syrah in the finish. Nice twist.
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After the Ridge Zin, this was a full-on high power to Zin to reckon with. Lots of spicy cherry and pepper on the palate coupled with a rather healthy dose of high-toned alcohol. Good stuff, but this needs some time to settle down IMO...but you already knew that.
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loved it. great carlisle nose and followed through with depth of flavor. had over 2 nights. great both times, a littl emore raspberry or lighter tones the second night. great stuff Mike.
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($24) Spicy-Spicy eucalyptus nose. Rich texture. Medium-sweet with red berry flavors. Peppery midsection. Includes 23% Russian River Valley Syrah. Tasty.
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Another beauty from Mike Officer. This one has 25% syrah, and it adds a beautiful complexity and depth. Long finish with chalky tannins. For around $20-- are you kidding me? I have had the 2004 Seghesio-- and the Seghesio is no Carlisle!
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Had at One Midtown Kitchen lst night...held up well to some of the spicy appetizers...not quite as concentrated or distinctive as some other carlisle/biale zins.. similar to the seghesio
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3/18/2011 - Frank Murray III wrote:
This is ready to drink as the vintage warmth is in the palate. Pretty soft and even a bit porty on the palate. Let 'er rip.
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10/25/2010 - davidspieker wrote: 90 Points
Deep purple color. Nice aromas of burnt rubber, licorice, black pepper, cinnamon, and blackberry. Ripe red fruit flavors with some pepper and licorice. Full body with nice balance and pleasant finish. Great value.
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4/11/2010 - Badfish wrote: 94 Points
Deep red core with purple tinges throughout. This is really gorgeous on the nose with a floral high toned texture and bright fruit notes of brambly red berry, kirsch, red licorice, floral herbs, and dusty earth. A cool airy profile without any overt heat. The flavors are really complex with notes of red currant, red berries, black pepper, licorice, herbs, and sweet stones. The palate is full bodied with great acidity and firm but approachable tannin bite. Superb fruit density supported by great structure from the acidity and tannins. This seems to have more balance and restraint than some of the other Carlisles I have been drinking lately. Simply brilliant. If you are looking for a sweet glossy Zinfandel you should probably avoid this.
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4/12/2009 - kenv wrote: 92 Points
Opened with dinner. Not a good match for BBQ country pork ribs. Must be the spice in the wine fights the spice in the ribs? Still, a gorgeous nose of black raspberries, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Tart on first opening, but mellows in the glass after a half hour. Silky, luscious, tasty stuff! A joy to drink, this should drink well for several more years. 91 points.
Open 6 days (4/18/09): Finished with my BiL Mark with my sausage Bolognese with whole wheat linguine. Has mellowed further. Really delicious now. More subtle and exotic flavors now. No sign of decline. This wine should drink best 2013–2018. Mark likes it a lot. Amazingly serious Zin for a Sonoma County bottling!
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1/24/2009 - DesMarteau wrote: 88 Points
Nose 95, taste 86. Incredible nose of kiwi, cassis, perfume, violets. A fruit carnival...Integrated....couldn't wait to drink it. Flavor was dead....almost asleep. muted fruit, hollow midpalate. Maybe I drank in a dumb phase.
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1/19/2009 - danseng wrote: 85 Points
I agree with some of the other comments that this has lost some of it's fruit. I got a lot of acidity and alcohol. Pretty surprising for a big zin/syrah combo.
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12/21/2008 - martuna wrote: 90 Points
Delicious. Spicey and aromatic.
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11/21/2008 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
LICORICE, BLACK CHERRIES, DEEP BERRY FRUITS, SPICE AND CHOCOLATE IN THE NOSE WITH RICH BERRY FRUIT, LICORICE, BLACK CHERRIES AND SPICE IN THE FLAVOR. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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11/18/2008 - dfeiner wrote: 89 Points
Nose: Burned rubber, earthy, spicy (Nancy) Licorice, graphite, maybe blackberry and some dark plum (me). Sweet plum flavors, dark fruits and berries and a bit of oak spiciness. Slightly bitter finish. Moderate mouth feel. Good value.
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9/21/2008 - dsimmons wrote: 94 Points
My last of these delicious zinfandel's and the best so far. Wish I had a few more to follow over the years. Very dark red purple, no cloudiness whatsoever. Nose of dark fruit , blackberry, black cherry, a bit of light pepper and earth. Palate is rich and full and in perfect balance. Fruity without being "over The top". This incredible zin is drinking beautifully.. I would say if you have them, the time is right. Again, absolutely delicious.
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7/4/2008 - lorenzo wrote: 88 Points
Showed better than the 04 Carlo's, but still not at the level I think of, when I think of Carlisle Zins. Worried this may be losing its Fruit 'oomph'
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6/26/2008 - bsherwin wrote:
More restrained than the last bottle and it is taking on some of the Claret aspects of Zin. Not terribly complex, must well-made a great QPR. A nice wine, but drink up.
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6/15/2008 - brynmair wrote: 90 Points
Not sensing much on the nose at this point but the taste was classic zin. It held up well to the blue cheese encrusted strip steak and it will be interesting to note how this develops throughout the evening of the Tony Awards. Great QPR!
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6/13/2008 - bound4er wrote: 91 Points
Delicious zin - spicy, briary , peppery - yumm. Full bodied with great structure and a nice, easy going finish. This really has improved in the past year. My Mother-In-Law said this is the best zinfandel she has ever drank.
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3/7/2008 - sw92130 wrote: 90 Points
This was a Big wine. I drank it over 3 days and it got better each day.
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2/14/2008 - beezer6 wrote: 88 Points
Taste from Dan Cushin @ WF OB.
Somewhat lean and peppery. Nose of perfumy berries.
Not bad. Would like to try some of their single vineyard Zins.
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2/2/2008 - dsimmons wrote: 92 Points
Delicious zin. Sorry to have only one more of these left but happy to have almost case of the '06 on the way!!!! Very nice balance with zinbery fruit and a bit of pepper.
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8/30/2007 - bound4er wrote: 87 Points
My first Carlisle - not sure what to make of this wine. It was good, but my expectations were maybe a bit too high. It had that classic bramby zin profile I find appealing along with some dark cherries and raspberries. This wine was pretty well balanced too - maybe it was me that was having an off night. Have 3 more in the cellar - we'll see how they develop.
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4/26/2007 - Nevin wrote: 94 Points
Classic Carlsile nose, big, peppery, rich and brambly, with that classic Carlisle concentration. I'm not sure that there's another producer in California that is so immedietely identifiable - and I know Mike doesn't like to admit to a style...but Man, this is Carlisle. In the mouth it is powerful and concentrated with waves of gorgeous Zinfandel fruit, raspberries, strawberries and ripe black plums with a solid, intense and deeply flavored core of fruit...the only negative is the slightly tannic note that (only slightly) interferes with the bright and bold finish. I know that there's Syrah in here, you can just sense it (kind of like the addition of Viogner to TL Hermitage - you know it's there, and it's beautiful, but it's the dominant varietal that gets your attention).....wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone who made wine made it this well.
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4/24/2007 - Jay A wrote: 86 Points
I'm not sure I really like the Carlisle style. It was good from the first sip showing a lot of fruit and had good flow. As the wine warmed up a little and aired it actually seems to lose some of its cohesion. It started to fall apart. The second, third, fourth...sips just never acheived the quality of the first sip. I know people love these wines, but I'm coming to the conclusion that it is not my cup of tea.
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4/3/2007 - goofy Yno wrote: 85 Points
lost the second battle vs Biale. a touch hot, did have some strong red fruits, but on the thin side
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3/4/2007 - dsimmons wrote: 93 Points
Nice Zin! Popped and poured. Nice right out of the chute but improved over the life of the bottle which was fairly short. Nice garnet color and fruity spicy nose. Explosion of cherry on the palate with wonderful balance and good complexity. Another stunner from Carlisle. It just don't get much better than this. BRAVO MIKE!!!
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2/18/2007 - etherscreen wrote:
raspberries, vanilla, and maybe a touch of licorice on the nose. the palate follows suit. nothing terribly complex, but easy drinking. finishes spicy and a bit hot. nice value at $20. will revisit tomorrow.
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2/16/2007 - bsherwin wrote:
A nice expression of Sonoma Zinfandel. Notwithstanding the RRV fruit in there, this tasted very Dry Creek to me. Kind of reminiscent of Rafanelli (a very high compliment). Brambly blackberry and toast on the nose following through with some spicy raspberry and cherry on the palate. Medium body with a little bit of tannic grip on the finish. Nice with food and without. Not the most complex wine in the world, but solidly made and well balanced. This is drinking well now and I see no reason to wait any longer. Enjoy.
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2/10/2007 - Ekoostik wrote: 90 Points
A little lighter than the vineyard designates in color and mouthfeel. Still a solid Carlisle and a good value at $20.
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2/3/2007 - dfeiner wrote: 92 Points
Didn't really pay attention to components on this, just drank it. Very enjoyable. Very fruit forward. Spicy. Good.
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12/30/2006 - goofy Yno wrote: 87 Points
a high toned nose with raspberry, and a little heat. same in the mouth with a lot of acidity, some red fruits but a short finish.
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11/29/2006 - Erik R. wrote:
This bottle tasted just too sweet for me, and was tough to get through. Odd.
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11/20/2006 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Brambly nose with vanilla and some heat. Palate shows raspberry, little bit of cherry and game and a nice grip of acidity. Fits well with the dinner we had. I would have never guessed this wine was 1/4 syrah but when I taste it, knowing this fact, I can sense the syrah in the finish. Nice twist.
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9/22/2006 - decaturwinedude wrote: 91 Points
After the Ridge Zin, this was a full-on high power to Zin to reckon with. Lots of spicy cherry and pepper on the palate coupled with a rather healthy dose of high-toned alcohol. Good stuff, but this needs some time to settle down IMO...but you already knew that.
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9/22/2006 - ademello wrote:
Freaking awesome!
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9/13/2006 - smokie wrote: 92 Points
Drinking even better now. Fantastic QPR!
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9/2/2006 - prosp wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured, not decanted, started to show a little more around 30 minutes. Nice nose, good complexity. A good deal for about $25 all in.
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7/24/2006 - AlexRed wrote: 91 Points
loved it. great carlisle nose and followed through with depth of flavor. had over 2 nights. great both times, a littl emore raspberry or lighter tones the second night. great stuff Mike.
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5/16/2006 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($24) Spicy-Spicy eucalyptus nose. Rich texture. Medium-sweet with red berry flavors. Peppery midsection. Includes 23% Russian River Valley Syrah. Tasty.
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5/3/2006 - smokie wrote: 92 Points
Another beauty from Mike Officer. This one has 25% syrah, and it adds a beautiful complexity and depth. Long finish with chalky tannins. For around $20-- are you kidding me? I have had the 2004 Seghesio-- and the Seghesio is no Carlisle!
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4/15/2006 - E wrote: 88 Points
Had at One Midtown Kitchen lst night...held up well to some of the spicy appetizers...not quite as concentrated or distinctive as some other carlisle/biale zins.. similar to the seghesio
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