Decanted for one hour or more. Had a tannic hit on the first glass. Earthy/fruit nose with classic Mourvèdre flavors, quite Bandol like and great with grilled lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened up after a few hours, so a short decant recommended.
Spicy and rather alcoholic nose with also a petrol notes, also some charred wood from a campfire. Not exactly pleasing overall.
Palate is different. Dark cherry and black raspberry up front, then some stony earth and pepper spice, finish has faded red cherry fruit and white pepper, a little short, but defined. Fairly supple mouthfeel with integrated tannin, this bottle seems to show the alcohol more this time and is not as velvety. Very good, but not great showing. Drink now - 2024.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was not was I expected. Not a full bodied bruiser at all like Spanish mourvedre, but medium bodied, elegant, and if served blind, I would have guessed Russian River Pinot with about 6-8 years of age.
It has a very Pinot nose of mushroom, earth, spice, and red berry. In the mouth, it shows red fruit up front like cherry, strawberry, faint raspberry. There is lots of earth, underbrush, and spice to round out the palate. Finish is medium long, silky, but slightly drying. Tannin is mostly resolved.
This wine is ready now and likely peaking. Carlisle drinking chart says until 2026, but I think I will drink my other bottle sooner as I don't think there is a further upside to waiting that long
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Nose of black raspberry, earth and spice. Black and red fruit, gamey meat, earth and spice on the palate. Very long finish. Well balanced. Medium to full bodied. Served with cream of mushroom soup.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big, bold, silky smooth tannins. Absolutely superb! There are very few wineries that deliver such incredible quality for the price. It’s a shame that there are only 215 cases produced of this beauty, but it makes sense. Carlisle produces wines of the highest caliber and clearly sets its focus on quality over quantity. If you aren’t on this mailing list, get on the waiting list immediately. Carlisle, IMHO, is as good as it gets, and this bottle was right there with its best.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
You know what I hate? I hate buying a wine, letting it sit for 5 years, opening it to find it is absolutely gorgeous, but realizing I only bought one bottle.
From the florals to the dark fruit to the dusty elegant finish this wine is seamless. Easy to drink on its own but with enough structure to cut through a Flannery Ribeye. I’m in love.
This is drinking really well - earthy, jammy, spicy and fruity with emphasis on the jam! Medium length finish that is elegant, refined and rustic all at the same time. Yummy!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Never had this wine before, very interesting. Nose, full fruit and floral, taste, perfect, fruit, earth and a touch of pepper, finish is something to remember, fruit, smooth and almost light for such a full body wine. Looking forward to trying another.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I followed others and did a 2 hour decant; first hour in the decanter and the second back in the bottle (air integrating). It opened beautifully with strong savory elements nose to finish. I didn’t taste in PnP but can say it was light in tannin after the decant. Really smooth.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 2 hours. Very nice Mourved, some wild brambly notes, black fruit, a touch of salinity, but overall nice and smooth. Touches of vanilla on the finish. Good stuff, with a lot of time ahead of it. Drink now - 2026.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: Red raspberry, cherry, vanilla, very pure fruit, light alc on pop and pour blew off.
Tastes: A deep core that reminds me, in a way, of a Cru Beaujolais. Nice stemmy tannin and length. The finish coats the mouth with flavor of macerated red berries and grapes.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I am always interested in trying Mourvèdre, so I was happy to try this as well. Ripe and glossy were the first things that sprang to mind. Black and red fruit, some spice and more than a little VA came through. It held its alcohol very well, but lacked much in the way of structure to hold it together. It was more like a blanket of Mourvèdre than a drink.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very dark and dense. Amazing black aromas of charred fruits, bbq roasted meats, and black fruits. Thick yet smooth, quite rich and incredibly complex flavors and you can sense the gnarly old vines. Very long tannic smooth finish. Carlisle makes some of the most consistently complex and tasty wines for their prices.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Round, voluptuous and precisely layered, this shows style and personality. Long and loaded with dark fruit capote, river rock, mulch, pie crust and broiled mutton. Upon entry this is showy, yet glides effortlessly and elegantly for almost a minute. Prudent acidity. Drink 2017 - 2027.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A bit fruity upon opening, with notes of strawberry liqueur on the palate. Sheds off some of the youthfulness over time while still keeping its feminine character. The 14.9% alcohol is very well integrated. (Personally, I'd rather have a[ny?] Bandol instead...). Update: I've left one glass sitting (covered) for 24 hours and it was drinking much more to my liking, having now renounced most of the sweet fruit and exhibiting more of a Bandol-llike profile. 90+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very pale ruby. NOSE > Spice dominant, followed by herbs, with a suggestion of fruit. Pretty sage, rose-petal, lavender, marshmallow, cherry-bark, red-licorice. black-plum, clove, Campari & sweet vermouth. Some heat/alcohol shows through (14.9 on label). PALATE > Soft, lush, low acid. Mainly spice & herbs also on palate. Some pretty, exotic, soft black fruit far in the background - red black & yellow-mulberry, bitter-cherry, bramble, & plum. Some alcohol shows, & along with low acid, gives very rich, almost sweet feel. Low intensity. Low tannin & oak. Some aggressive phenols & press tannins, but at very low levels. Drinks very rich, ripe, non-fruity, with some alcohol showing on both nose & palate. Frankly drinks almost like a big, dark Rose'. Very young still, & will re-taste tomorrow, but honestly, a bit of a head-scratcher from one of my favorite Cali Syrah, Zin, Rhone-ish producers. —
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
7/16/2023 - dlduchon Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for one hour or more. Had a tannic hit on the first glass. Earthy/fruit nose with classic Mourvèdre flavors, quite Bandol like and great with grilled lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2023 - SchlaepDog Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened up after a few hours, so a short decant recommended.
Spicy and rather alcoholic nose with also a petrol notes, also some charred wood from a campfire. Not exactly pleasing overall.
Palate is different. Dark cherry and black raspberry up front, then some stony earth and pepper spice, finish has faded red cherry fruit and white pepper, a little short, but defined. Fairly supple mouthfeel with integrated tannin, this bottle seems to show the alcohol more this time and is not as velvety. Very good, but not great showing. Drink now - 2024.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2023 - Growler69 wrote: 93 Points
Smooth and supple with tannins completely resolved. I don't think that i have ever had a bottle of mourvedre this smooth. Drink now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2022 - cobystilp wrote: 91 Points
Opened for Tom's 55th birthday celebration
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2022 - SchlaepDog Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine was not was I expected. Not a full bodied bruiser at all like Spanish mourvedre, but medium bodied, elegant, and if served blind, I would have guessed Russian River Pinot with about 6-8 years of age.
It has a very Pinot nose of mushroom, earth, spice, and red berry. In the mouth, it shows red fruit up front like cherry, strawberry, faint raspberry. There is lots of earth, underbrush, and spice to round out the palate. Finish is medium long, silky, but slightly drying. Tannin is mostly resolved.
This wine is ready now and likely peaking. Carlisle drinking chart says until 2026, but I think I will drink my other bottle sooner as I don't think there is a further upside to waiting that long
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2022 - hoservin wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Nose of black raspberry, earth and spice. Black and red fruit, gamey meat, earth and spice on the palate. Very long finish. Well balanced. Medium to full bodied. Served with cream of mushroom soup.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2021 - JBNH Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big, bold, silky smooth tannins. Absolutely superb! There are very few wineries that deliver such incredible quality for the price. It’s a shame that there are only 215 cases produced of this beauty, but it makes sense. Carlisle produces wines of the highest caliber and clearly sets its focus on quality over quantity. If you aren’t on this mailing list, get on the waiting list immediately. Carlisle, IMHO, is as good as it gets, and this bottle was right there with its best.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/29/2020 - bound4er wrote: 90 Points
Good with Margarita pizza. Alcohol a tad spiky but not onerous. Drinking very well now but should hold for a few more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2019 - River Rat wrote:
You know what I hate? I hate buying a wine, letting it sit for 5 years, opening it to find it is absolutely gorgeous, but realizing I only bought one bottle.
From the florals to the dark fruit to the dusty elegant finish this wine is seamless. Easy to drink on its own but with enough structure to cut through a Flannery Ribeye. I’m in love.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
6/6/2019 - Glencoewine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Outstanding. No decant, but opened after 30 min in the glass. Drinking well now; no need to hold. Wish I had bought more!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2019 - Chefcar Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is drinking really well - earthy, jammy, spicy and fruity with emphasis on the jam! Medium length finish that is elegant, refined and rustic all at the same time. Yummy!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2019 - Jdwinedrinker Likes this wine:
Delicious wine ! Drinking great ... my last one :(
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2018 - mwrock Likes this wine: 93 Points
Never had this wine before, very interesting. Nose, full fruit and floral, taste, perfect, fruit, earth and a touch of pepper, finish is something to remember, fruit, smooth and almost light for such a full body wine. Looking forward to trying another.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/23/2018 - cdebeau Likes this wine: 93 Points
smooth, voluptuous mouthfeel. Sophisticated fruit.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2018 - pakabear Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark red and black fruit, toasted oak, tar, currants, nice balance.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2018 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
Very nice. 92-93.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2018 - yaCellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
I followed others and did a 2 hour decant; first hour in the decanter and the second back in the bottle (air integrating). It opened beautifully with strong savory elements nose to finish. I didn’t taste in PnP but can say it was light in tannin after the decant. Really smooth.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2018 - CabIsKing wrote: 91 Points
Good nose of black fruits, floral and cocoa. Good mouthfeel with a medium finish. Definitely enjoyed this wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2018 - RPerro Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Very nice Mourved, some wild brambly notes, black fruit, a touch of salinity, but overall nice and smooth. Touches of vanilla on the finish. Good stuff, with a lot of time ahead of it. Drink now - 2026.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2017 - Randito Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent Carlisle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2017 - Mtpisgah wrote:
It was enjoyable with food but a bit too ripe on its own.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/2/2017 - Griffeyfan04 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rose petal and floral notes with some fruit lingering in the background. Waiting on the next bottle a few years
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2017 - BarryPaulPrice Likes this wine: 93 Points
Visual: Quite ruby with very slight purple hint.
Nose: Red raspberry, cherry, vanilla, very pure fruit, light alc on pop and pour blew off.
Tastes: A deep core that reminds me, in a way, of a Cru Beaujolais. Nice stemmy tannin and length. The finish coats the mouth with flavor of macerated red berries and grapes.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2017 - Rieslingfan wrote:
I am always interested in trying Mourvèdre, so I was happy to try this as well. Ripe and glossy were the first things that sprang to mind. Black and red fruit, some spice and more than a little VA came through. It held its alcohol very well, but lacked much in the way of structure to hold it together. It was more like a blanket of Mourvèdre than a drink.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2017 - galaxie500 Likes this wine: 91 Points
delicious. deep red, flavorful nose.
medium/full body with balanced tannins.
Yummy
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2016 - pakabear Likes this wine: 91 Points
Black fruits, cocoa, squid ink, rhubarb, saline minerals, nice balance.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2016 - Anthonut Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very young but almost too delicious to keep hands off.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2016 - mzimberg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very dark and dense. Amazing black aromas of charred fruits, bbq roasted meats, and black fruits. Thick yet smooth, quite rich and incredibly complex flavors and you can sense the gnarly old vines. Very long tannic smooth finish. Carlisle makes some of the most consistently complex and tasty wines for their prices.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/20/2016 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 94 Points
Round, voluptuous and precisely layered, this shows style and personality. Long and loaded with dark fruit capote, river rock, mulch, pie crust and broiled mutton. Upon entry this is showy, yet glides effortlessly and elegantly for almost a minute. Prudent acidity. Drink 2017 - 2027.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2016 - Neras Likes this wine: 91 Points
Initially a little awkward, but after an hour it opens up with a fruity sweet nose. Fruit and chewing gum on the palate. very nice.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2016 - joraesque wrote: 89 Points
A bit fruity upon opening, with notes of strawberry liqueur on the palate. Sheds off some of the youthfulness over time while still keeping its feminine character. The 14.9% alcohol is very well integrated. (Personally, I'd rather have a[ny?] Bandol instead...).
Update: I've left one glass sitting (covered) for 24 hours and it was drinking much more to my liking, having now renounced most of the sweet fruit and exhibiting more of a Bandol-llike profile. 90+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/21/2016 - gossba Likes this wine: 94 Points
complex and still young. some acidity on the front but with a smooth fruit finish. very good wine. great value.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2015 - Rob Hansult wrote: 87 Points
Very pale ruby.
NOSE > Spice dominant, followed by herbs, with a suggestion of fruit. Pretty sage, rose-petal, lavender, marshmallow, cherry-bark, red-licorice. black-plum, clove, Campari & sweet vermouth.
Some heat/alcohol shows through (14.9 on label).
PALATE > Soft, lush, low acid. Mainly spice & herbs also on palate. Some pretty, exotic, soft black fruit far in the background - red black & yellow-mulberry, bitter-cherry, bramble, & plum.
Some alcohol shows, & along with low acid, gives very rich, almost sweet feel. Low intensity. Low tannin & oak. Some aggressive phenols & press tannins, but at very low levels.
Drinks very rich, ripe, non-fruity, with some alcohol showing on both nose & palate. Frankly drinks almost like a big, dark Rose'.
Very young still, & will re-taste tomorrow, but honestly, a bit of a head-scratcher from one of my favorite Cali Syrah, Zin, Rhone-ish producers. —
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment