43rd Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2016s (R&D’s): Blind. Red color with a slightly lighter meniscus. Notes of red berry fruit, plum and coffee bean. Medium-bodied, with flavors of briary red fruit and pepper. Takes on a slight blue fruit quality with air- could be a stable mate to wine C...Biale's wines can sometimes take on blue fruit notes. Balanced, with a fruit-filled finish. 92-93 pts. (R&D)
My #2, Domino's #1 Group #1, 22 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A nose of dark fruits and spices, dark purple in color. A full bodied red, with black cherry, smokey pepper and spice on long finish, short decant. www.winelx.com
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice, in a good drinking place right now. Dark silky fruit with tar, earth and a bit of sweetness. Juicy. Dark toasted oak, baking spices. Full throttle. Just a hair sweeter than I'd like. Drink now and over the next few years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ideal drinking spot for me- plush berry fruits that are fully integrated, and still youthful. Not showing signs of age by why wait. Great match w carne asada.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine Lunch (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass plus over 30 minutes. Raspberry, peppery, a little herbaceous, spicy, a bit of vanilla on the nose. The palate shows raspberries, pepper, some heat, and comes off a bit stark. 89 to 90pts.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and let breath for around two hours. Beautiful wine in a great drinking window but can go for a few more years. Best guess is it’s at its peak plateau.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank with pizza at friends' house, so no detailed notes. Red and blue fruits, mouthfilling vibrancy, and a terrific finish. In great shape - may still improve.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lots going on here in addition to the typical Russian River blue fruit signature. A really nice version of Montafi that is drinking well now but should also be fine for at least the next 3-4 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Oh so delicious. This wine is drinking very well right now. Lots of red and dark red fruit, spicy goodness, and hints of some other dried fruits. This is definitely one of the best Zinfandels we've enjoyed because of its complexity, purity, and mouthfeel.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby, medium meniscus. A bit brighter on the palate than the nose, but all red fruits make themselves known. Hints of spice, burnt tobacco, bramble and cinnamon. Hint of lavender on the palate. May wait on the remainder for another year.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little nicer than a bottle from almost a year ago. This still remains a rather restrained Carlisle montafi zin, although it was easy drinking and resolved.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (EBCC): Double blind. Red fruit and herbs with a hint of brett underneath. Flavors of ripe red berry fruit, herbs and vanilla. (R&D)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank over three nights and it was different throughout, more primary on day one, a little disjointed on day two, and better integrated on day three. I think it’s ready now
Very nice zin with pleasant spicy zip. Excellent darker red fruit profile. Nice mouthfeel and aftertaste. Gave it a brief decant and it continued to open throughout the evening.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another fantastic montafi by Carlisle. Robust raspberry and black cherry complemented by wonderful tannins. The wine is voluptuous and full bodied. Long finish keeps the flavors going and going! Age it for another couple of years if you want to try to squeeze a little more out of the wine, but it is spectacular now with a minimal decant.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice earthy wine that opens with a pleasant dose of dried dark fruit, As the wine passes back a bit, some still serious tannin is apparent. Mouth-filling. Some retro-nasal mintiness. A totally satisfying wine,
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Crimson in color. 15% ABV. Awesome nose of red fruits, plums and spice. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Charming, fruit forward and perfectly balanced. Crisp and fresh. Cherry, raspberry liqueur, earth and pepper on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long and seamless. I’ve liked Carlisle for well over a decade now but Mike really seemed to take things to a new level starting with the ’16 vintage. Best over the next 2-4 years and absolutely delicious served at cellar temperature on a hot, sultry night in Seattle.
Nice. Balanced. Doesn't smack you in the face and say ZINFANDEL!!! but you're never going to get that with a Carlisle. No need to wait to drink any longer it is ready to go.
Was planning on holding these until at least next year, but I gave in early to give it a try. Let air in the glass for an hour. Clear garnet, with hues of purple on the swirl. Medium depth, medium meniscus. Blueberry, cherry and raspberry on the noise. With vanilla and slight earthy notes of tobacco and light soil. Palate showed great fruit - a bit fleshy at the start but continued to get better over the next hour. Med+ body and acidity. Fine medium tannins. Med+ complexity and a long finish with cherry and vanilla sailing on. I think this will probably get better over the next few years but it is pretty darn good now. Cheers!
Pop and drank 1 hour later. Aromas of cinnamon, raspberry, currant, cherry and a hint of boysenberry. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, boysenberry, hint of blueberry and huckleberry. Ends with a fantastic finish of 40+ seconds with cherry vanilla notes. This is even better than last time I had it. Consistently an amazing wine.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aerated with a Vinturi. Nose of black raspberry, black cherry, vanilla and bramble. Black and red fruit, zin spice, bramble and ripe tannins on the palate. Very well balanced. Long finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with baked mac and cheese.
Beautiful, assertive nose of ripe cherries, rose petals and raspberries. Still opening after about 3 hours since pulling the cork, but a black berry-forward taste that includes plum and a little strawberry, with some spice and a touch of earthiness. Firm tannins and acidity with a great deal of length define the finish. Really good now, could be great with a little more age on it to soften the finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 2.5 hours. Aromas of boysenberry, wild cherry, huckleberry, strawberry and touch of plum. Flavors of pretty much match the palate. Ends with a long finish of 40+ seconds with notes of boysenberry and wild cherry. This is a very big wine with tons of fruit on the nose and palate. Wow what a Zin!
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very dark ruby color. Dark red cherry & black berry notes on nose and palate. Medium/full-bodied. Extremely well-balanced with long finish. Truly excellent Zin!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 90 minutes, tasting occasionally during the decant. This zinfandel opened up during this time, with increasing depth. Black fruit up front with a balanced mid-palate and finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Nose of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate and bramble. Berries, chocolate covered cherries, spice and soft tannins on the palate. Long finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with pizza.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
this is a big zin for Carlisle, fruitier and powerful but not too jammy. coats the mouth with good spice, long, very enjoyable. Needs air and time, will last for years.
Intensely floral, herbaceous, and red fruited. Fairly intense wine on the palate, with a big ripe raspberry, and lots of herbal and spice components. Decanted for an hour and a half and it barely budged. Acidity paired wonderfully with a Lamb ragu over freshly made parpadella.
Dark, dark ruby in the glass with a nice briar/brambly nose. Dark red/black fruit on entry, good weight, a little hot on opening, a little jammy with big extraction like a Caymus cab on opening.....this improves over an hour in the glass. There's some leather, gentle spice/pepper and a nice line of acidity with some black tea on the back end. This should get better over time by a point or two I would think. The jammy extraction really calmed down after an hour of air, too.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow! This is simply stunning! It basically sums up everything I love about Carlisle’s Zinfandels. If I were to choose just one recently released, I’d probably go with this. Before, it was the 2007 Papera Zin. So close to 95, but can a Zin be rated 95? That would put it in goosebump territory, and it is widely accepted that Zin is not capable of such greatness. I’ll stick to 94, but this is simply world class! The bottle was drained in no time. So yummy!
This wine hits the lips with tons of bright fruit, wild berries, currant, licorice and hints of pepper and mineral earth tones. A medium-bodied wine that gets smoother by the minute. Finishes with a subtle peppery jaminess that lingers for minutes. Phenomenal. Paired excellently with my fancy burgers!
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Textbook Zinfandel. The jazzy red raspberry and bosenberry fruit is boisterous and playful on the nose. Loads of Zinfandel spiciness and a bit of damp earth is present as well. The palate is just as expressive as the nose, but demonstrates a balance and elegance that is not present in many Zins. While not super complex, this wine is loads of fun.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was delicious! Lots of fruit forward with the right balance of spice and tannins. It opened up beautifully after an hour and was even better after two hours! One of the best from Carlisle
Opened and drank by my wife for the 2 previous nights. Delightful, pleasing straightforward wine. Medium to full bodied, wonderfruit, not overdone in any phase, great balance, beautiful long finish.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still acidic and narrow on the palate but with a solid core of berry fruit and spice. Finishes clean and chalky. Needs a couple more years to come together.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
ZAP:STORIES FROM SONOMA COUNTY. Nose of red and black cherry, same on the palate, very tasty, rich fruit, lovely fruit, mouth filling fruit, and a long finish.
Wow. Big nose of blackberries and maybe raspberries. Predominant notes of blackberries and cherries with some cocoa, cedar and spice notes. Very smooth tannins with balanced acidity. Great value for this kind of quality.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
July 2018 Carlisle Visit To See Mr. O (Carlisle Winery): 337 users of this wine? My god. So much support and interest in Zinfandel, a grape that just a few decades ago was about pink wine and bulk quantity. Now, we land here with a vineyard like this, with so much support and love for the wines. Really inspiring. As to the wine, smooth. Showing a light cocoa, boysenberry, dark and razzy with some black fruit. Jammy in the finish with some light structure. Seems to me like this is drinking great now.
9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark and rich profile with notes of blackberry, plum and some spice on the nose. Well-delineated in the mouth, with rich flavors caressing the palate. This is utterly delicious zin, montafi is consistently one of my favs in the Carlisle zin line-up and this is one of his best montafi's yet. Has room to improve,. This bottle was popped and poured, consumed over 2 hours.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 16 minutes, couldn't wait. First taste was a little tight. As we cooked burgers with a jalapeno sauce the wine opened up. Notes of dark berries even cherries backed up with a depth of chocolate and plum. The finish lingered the tongue. We pulled some 85% cocoa chocolate as a test pairing, yes it was delicious, wine had been opened for 45 minutes at that point.
30 minute decant; consumed over 4 hours. This is 89% Zinfandel 11% Mixed Blacks (Alicante Bouschet, Aubun, Grand Noir, Petite Sirah, Peloursin, Trousseau noir, Syrah, Petit Bouschet, Cinsault). That noted, it tastes like a 75% Zin and 25% Petitie Sirah to me. Very nice wine, no wonder WS scored it 93 points. The mixed blacks make this a dark Zin and add some extra depth with black fruits. Soft tannins offer slight grip on the finish. Lacks some of the "all-spice" and bright berry I associate with Zin but otherwise no complaints. 92-94 point range. Drink now with decant or wait.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Arrived in Denmark not too long ago but already showing what it is made of! A great Montafi! Full bodied, rich and decadent yet also juicy, energetic, long and so satisfying! As often before it sports a lively mix of fresh and candied raspberries and blackberries mixed with loads of zin-spices and a chocolatey note. All the while it remains juicy and energetic. Very well done! To me, this is what lifts this and so many other Carlisle Zin’s above the many other good producers of Zin
Pop n' pour, drank two glasses over two hours. Ripe red fruits, notably raspberry and sour cherry, with hints of bramble and soil. Medium body, fresh acidity and smooth though slightly astringent tannins. I find this less complex than the 2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Pinet Olivet Ranches, which I adored, but it's still a very tasty zinfandel with upside potential.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
1 hour decant. Deep garnet. Nose of raspberry and cedar. Taste is tart with raspberry, cranberry and ash. Very dry with high tannins and medium acidity, dryer than most Zins. Definitely not an extracted fruit style. Can hardly tell it’s a Zin. Medium plus body. While I don’t like over the top I do prefer more fruit flavors in my Zin. Maybe flavors are pushed down by the high tannins at this point. Would give another year or more before opening another bottle.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I couldn't resist opening one of these bottles from my recent Carlisle shipment! This wine is quite primary, but at the same time delicious, and high quality, especially with a few hours in the decanter. Not much more that I can add to the tasting notes of others, but I cannot wait to see how this wine evolves over the next few years. Rating today I'd say with a good decant, a 92. Potentially an upside to 93-94 with a few years of bottle age.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dried raspberry, cranberry and red cherry, with fresh mulch, thyme and sage. A lively long finish and a juicy core, with contrails of acidity. Impressive as always, this grand cru vineyard in the Piner-Olivet area of the Russian River Valley does not know how to disappoint. This prodigious vineyard was purchased by the Seghesio family in 2014, and I am relieved that Mike is still able to source fruit from this heralded site. Drink now - 2030.
8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dramatic yet refined and well-built, with floral blueberry and licorice aromas that lead to supple black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and spiced cinnamon flavors that glide on a long finish. Drink now through 2026
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice, approachable young Carlisle. Very pretty red and black fruit, a firm spine of acid, moderate tannins, and lots of savory umami elements brought out by a pappardalle with wild boar ragu - soy, mushroom, even some taco spice!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
5/11/2024 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
43rd Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2016s (R&D’s): Blind. Red color with a slightly lighter meniscus. Notes of red berry fruit, plum and coffee bean. Medium-bodied, with flavors of briary red fruit and pepper. Takes on a slight blue fruit quality with air- could be a stable mate to wine C...Biale's wines can sometimes take on blue fruit notes. Balanced, with a fruit-filled finish. 92-93 pts. (R&D)
My #2, Domino's #1
Group #1, 22 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2024 - galewskj wrote: flawed
Last bottle and sadly corked. Wet cardboard on the nose, absolutely nothing on the palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2024 - corkscrews Likes this wine: 91 Points
A nose of dark fruits and spices, dark purple in color. A full bodied red, with black cherry, smokey pepper and spice on long finish, short decant. www.winelx.com
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2024 - MRichman wrote:
Very nice, in a good drinking place right now. Dark silky fruit with tar, earth and a bit of sweetness. Juicy. Dark toasted oak, baking spices. Full throttle. Just a hair sweeter than I'd like. Drink now and over the next few years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ideal drinking spot for me- plush berry fruits that are fully integrated, and still youthful. Not showing signs of age by why wait. Great match w carne asada.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2023 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Similar impressions to the previous bottle earlier this year. This one did not disappoint and was probably better.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2023 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
While pleasant, this Montafi is not as good as most vintages have been. Restrained, easy drinking, slightly uneventful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2023 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
Wine Lunch (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass plus over 30 minutes. Raspberry, peppery, a little herbaceous, spicy, a bit of vanilla on the nose. The palate shows raspberries, pepper, some heat, and comes off a bit stark. 89 to 90pts.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2023 - PMTinfv Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted and let breath for around two hours. Beautiful wine in a great drinking window but can go for a few more years. Best guess is it’s at its peak plateau.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2023 - WineJ2019 wrote:
Maybe an off bottle, like a faint cork taint.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2023 - Night Train Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank with pizza at friends' house, so no detailed notes. Red and blue fruits, mouthfilling vibrancy, and a terrific finish. In great shape - may still improve.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2023 - EMTAME wrote: 93 Points
Lots going on here in addition to the typical Russian River blue fruit signature. A really nice version of Montafi that is drinking well now but should also be fine for at least the next 3-4 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2023 - kend707 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Some unique flavors coming through in this wine. Hard to describe, but this is delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2023 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Oh so delicious. This wine is drinking very well right now. Lots of red and dark red fruit, spicy goodness, and hints of some other dried fruits. This is definitely one of the best Zinfandels we've enjoyed because of its complexity, purity, and mouthfeel.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2023 - caroleandjay Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep ruby, medium meniscus.
A bit brighter on the palate than the nose, but all red fruits make themselves known. Hints of spice, burnt tobacco, bramble and cinnamon. Hint of lavender on the palate. May wait on the remainder for another year.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2023 - Zinwino Likes this wine:
Pretty tasty. Slightly earthy and a bit hot (hi alc) but nice fruit and layers of complexity
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2023 - Acohen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark raspberry, blueberry and spicy pepper on the finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/7/2023 - oldcabman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smooth and balanced, featuring bright fruit and cracked pepper.
So well made!! No signs of fading.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2022 - DENNISREITZ Likes this wine: 96 Points
Mike this is amazing, tons of bright fruit, always amazing long finish!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2022 - gesusser Likes this wine: 93 Points
Most excellent zin, splash decant and $ drank over 3 nights..3rd night reveals score. smooth easy drinking; drink up
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2022 - galewskj wrote: 91 Points
A little nicer than a bottle from almost a year ago. This still remains a rather restrained Carlisle montafi zin, although it was easy drinking and resolved.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2022 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Superb! Great depth to the dark red fruit flavors and complexity. One of the very best old vine Zins I've tasted. Clean, fresh, and ready to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2022 - AllRed wrote:
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (EBCC): Double blind. Red fruit and herbs with a hint of brett underneath. Flavors of ripe red berry fruit, herbs and vanilla. (R&D)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2022 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank over three nights and it was different throughout, more primary on day one, a little disjointed on day two, and better integrated on day three. I think it’s ready now
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
9/2/2022 - sean7711 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice zin for the price. Drank over a few nights. Went well with smoke whole chicken on night 1 and pizza on night 2.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2022 - Mtnmd1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
In a great spot. Didn’t try decanting but would probably give it another point. Fabulous zin+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2022 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice zin with pleasant spicy zip. Excellent darker red fruit profile. Nice mouthfeel and aftertaste. Gave it a brief decant and it continued to open throughout the evening.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2022 - BigTex22 wrote:
Paired with filet. Classic zin profile with some funk that blew off, but alas, I just don’t like zin anymore.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/21/2022 - PMTinfv Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted and let breath for two hours. Great drinking spot now but still has serval years and the some.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2022 - Acohen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark raspberry, blueberry and licorice with bramble and long rich finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2022 - Hover low 64 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another fantastic montafi by Carlisle. Robust raspberry and black cherry complemented by wonderful tannins. The wine is voluptuous and full bodied. Long finish keeps the flavors going and going! Age it for another couple of years if you want to try to squeeze a little more out of the wine, but it is spectacular now with a minimal decant.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2022 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Rich, delicious, lush mixed berry fruit with slight plum flavors, excellent structure, thick texture, long finish, Carlisle at its best
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2022 - pgm wrote: flawed
Corked, alas.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2022 - EMark Likes this wine:
Nice earthy wine that opens with a pleasant dose of dried dark fruit, As the wine passes back a bit, some still serious tannin is apparent. Mouth-filling. Some retro-nasal mintiness. A totally satisfying wine,
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2021 - Neras Likes this wine: 93 Points
A little edgy initially. Balance out after an hour. Very delicate and laid-back. A wine for sipping and enjoying slowly.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2021 - galewskj wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour. This was surprisingly muted for a Carlisle zin. Pleasant enough, not a whole lot going on. Improved slightly in glass.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2021 - cdp1276 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really nice elegant wine but a tad refined than was expecting that didn’t change too much over an hour of consuming
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2021 - nisid Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rich, dark fruit. Nice acid in the backbone. Goes down easy.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2021 - tomlee wrote: 95 Points
Crimson in color. 15% ABV. Awesome nose of red fruits, plums and spice. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Charming, fruit forward and perfectly balanced. Crisp and fresh. Cherry, raspberry liqueur, earth and pepper on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long and seamless. I’ve liked Carlisle for well over a decade now but Mike really seemed to take things to a new level starting with the ’16 vintage. Best over the next 2-4 years and absolutely delicious served at cellar temperature on a hot, sultry night in Seattle.
10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/12/2021 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
Fantastic!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2021 - Brockster303 wrote: 92 Points
Nice. Balanced. Doesn't smack you in the face and say ZINFANDEL!!! but you're never going to get that with a Carlisle. No need to wait to drink any longer it is ready to go.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/9/2021 - Gruffalius Likes this wine: 94 Points
As good as zin gets. Powerful and yet elegant.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/25/2020 - celiabisett@att.net wrote:
WS 93
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2020 - Brhouts Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excelllent zin
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/10/2020 - caroleandjay Likes this wine: 92 Points
Was planning on holding these until at least next year, but I gave in early to give it a try. Let air in the glass for an hour.
Clear garnet, with hues of purple on the swirl. Medium depth, medium meniscus.
Blueberry, cherry and raspberry on the noise. With vanilla and slight earthy notes of tobacco and light soil. Palate showed great fruit - a bit fleshy at the start but continued to get better over the next hour. Med+ body and acidity. Fine medium tannins. Med+ complexity and a long finish with cherry and vanilla sailing on.
I think this will probably get better over the next few years but it is pretty darn good now. Cheers!
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
8/24/2020 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Absolutely terrific!
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/22/2020 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 94 Points
As always, one of the top Carlisle single vineyard offerings.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/26/2020 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Pop and drank 1 hour later. Aromas of cinnamon, raspberry, currant, cherry and a hint of boysenberry. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, boysenberry, hint of blueberry and huckleberry. Ends with a fantastic finish of 40+ seconds with cherry vanilla notes. This is even better than last time I had it. Consistently an amazing wine.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2020 - hoservin wrote: 92 Points
Aerated with a Vinturi. Nose of black raspberry, black cherry, vanilla and bramble. Black and red fruit, zin spice, bramble and ripe tannins on the palate. Very well balanced. Long finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with baked mac and cheese.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
5/15/2020 - andysiek Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful, assertive nose of ripe cherries, rose petals and raspberries. Still opening after about 3 hours since pulling the cork, but a black berry-forward taste that includes plum and a little strawberry, with some spice and a touch of earthiness. Firm tannins and acidity with a great deal of length define the finish. Really good now, could be great with a little more age on it to soften the finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2020 - Chefcar Likes this wine: 95 Points
Still delicious - one of my favorites from Carlisle! Perfectly balanced between fruit, spice, and acid. Love this zin!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2020 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 2.5 hours. Aromas of boysenberry, wild cherry, huckleberry, strawberry and touch of plum. Flavors of pretty much match the palate. Ends with a long finish of 40+ seconds with notes of boysenberry and wild cherry. This is a very big wine with tons of fruit on the nose and palate. Wow what a Zin!
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2020 - Tsliwinski wrote: 94 Points
Great field blend of zin
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2020 - Neat Water Back wrote: flawed
Corked, unfortunately.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2020 - jmcnewjersey Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very dark ruby color. Dark red cherry & black berry notes on nose and palate. Medium/full-bodied. Extremely well-balanced with long finish. Truly excellent Zin!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2020 - westcoastwannabe wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for 90 minutes, tasting occasionally during the decant. This zinfandel opened up during this time, with increasing depth. Black fruit up front with a balanced mid-palate and finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2019 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted 2 hours and served perfectly chilled. Nothing new to add. Remains a masterpiece!
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2019 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice.....brambly fruit. Nice acidity. Very nice zin, might get a point or two better with time.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
11/27/2019 - hoservin wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured. Nose of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate and bramble. Berries, chocolate covered cherries, spice and soft tannins on the palate. Long finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with pizza.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2019 - michigan dogs Likes this wine: 93 Points
this is a big zin for Carlisle, fruitier and powerful but not too jammy.
coats the mouth with good spice, long, very enjoyable. Needs air and time, will last for years.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
11/19/2019 - akpace wrote: 92 Points
Little peppery and a red fruit nose. Spice, vanilla, berry, high tannins
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2019 - mattboney Likes this wine: 91 Points
Intensely floral, herbaceous, and red fruited. Fairly intense wine on the palate, with a big ripe raspberry, and lots of herbal and spice components. Decanted for an hour and a half and it barely budged. Acidity paired wonderfully with a Lamb ragu over freshly made parpadella.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/21/2019 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark, dark ruby in the glass with a nice briar/brambly nose. Dark red/black fruit on entry, good weight, a little hot on opening, a little jammy with big extraction like a Caymus cab on opening.....this improves over an hour in the glass. There's some leather, gentle spice/pepper and a nice line of acidity with some black tea on the back end. This should get better over time by a point or two I would think. The jammy extraction really calmed down after an hour of air, too.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2019 - thewrights615 Likes this wine: 95 Points
5/5
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2019 - Dionysusx Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine just keeps getting better with time. One of the best out there.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5)
7/10/2019 - Chainthroer wrote: 93 Points
Seemed more open this time.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2019 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow! This is simply stunning! It basically sums up everything I love about Carlisle’s Zinfandels. If I were to choose just one recently released, I’d probably go with this. Before, it was the 2007 Papera Zin. So close to 95, but can a Zin be rated 95? That would put it in goosebump territory, and it is widely accepted that Zin is not capable of such greatness. I’ll stick to 94, but this is simply world class! The bottle was drained in no time. So yummy!
8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
1/28/2019 - Chainthroer wrote: 93 Points
Three bottles consumed in last month. A little closed at this point. Should get a lot better.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2019 - Dionysusx Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine hits the lips with tons of bright fruit, wild berries, currant, licorice and hints of pepper and mineral earth tones. A medium-bodied wine that gets smoother by the minute. Finishes with a subtle peppery jaminess that lingers for minutes.
Phenomenal. Paired excellently with my fancy burgers!
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2018 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Best of the 2016 Carlisles zins so far?
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2018 - brettay Likes this wine: 93 Points
Textbook Zinfandel. The jazzy red raspberry and bosenberry fruit is boisterous and playful on the nose. Loads of Zinfandel spiciness and a bit of damp earth is present as well. The palate is just as expressive as the nose, but demonstrates a balance and elegance that is not present in many Zins. While not super complex, this wine is loads of fun.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2018 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 94 Points
See previous note. This time it had more depth. I have never experienced a bad Montafi/Tom Feeney bottling ever.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2018 - Chefcar Likes this wine: 96 Points
This was delicious! Lots of fruit forward with the right balance of spice and tannins. It opened up beautifully after an hour and was even better after two hours! One of the best from Carlisle
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
10/19/2018 - Tsliwinski Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smooth deep red fruit upfront, nice juicy mid palate with pepper and sage. Tamed tannins which will improve with cellaring
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2018 - Geoff Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened and drank by my wife for the 2 previous nights. Delightful, pleasing straightforward wine. Medium to full bodied, wonderfruit, not overdone in any phase, great balance, beautiful long finish.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2018 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good mix of red and dark fruits. Still my favorite Carlisle
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2018 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still acidic and narrow on the palate but with a solid core of berry fruit and spice. Finishes clean and chalky. Needs a couple more years to come together.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2018 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
ZAP:STORIES FROM SONOMA COUNTY. Nose of red and black cherry, same on the palate, very tasty, rich fruit, lovely fruit, mouth filling fruit, and a long finish.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (11)
8/12/2018 - rougeamore Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow. Big nose of blackberries and maybe raspberries. Predominant notes of blackberries and cherries with some cocoa, cedar and spice notes. Very smooth tannins with balanced acidity. Great value for this kind of quality.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2018 - pjhr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasty boysenberry and blackberry on the open nose and rich palate with pepper and lively acidity on the moderate finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2018 - Neras Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep red. Nose to die for. Slow attack on the palete, which then explodes and hangs on. Very young with the structure to improve in style. Great!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote:
July 2018 Carlisle Visit To See Mr. O (Carlisle Winery): 337 users of this wine? My god. So much support and interest in Zinfandel, a grape that just a few decades ago was about pink wine and bulk quantity. Now, we land here with a vineyard like this, with so much support and love for the wines. Really inspiring. As to the wine, smooth. Showing a light cocoa, boysenberry, dark and razzy with some black fruit. Jammy in the finish with some light structure. Seems to me like this is drinking great now.
9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2018 - bubbachumps wrote: 94 Points
Dark and rich profile with notes of blackberry, plum and some spice on the nose. Well-delineated in the mouth, with rich flavors caressing the palate. This is utterly delicious zin, montafi is consistently one of my favs in the Carlisle zin line-up and this is one of his best montafi's yet. Has room to improve,. This bottle was popped and poured, consumed over 2 hours.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/12/2018 - RiderMD Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 16 minutes, couldn't wait. First taste was a little tight. As we cooked burgers with a jalapeno sauce the wine opened up. Notes of dark berries even cherries backed up with a depth of chocolate and plum. The finish lingered the tongue. We pulled some 85% cocoa chocolate as a test pairing, yes it was delicious, wine had been opened for 45 minutes at that point.
9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/9/2018 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
30 minute decant; consumed over 4 hours. This is 89% Zinfandel
11% Mixed Blacks (Alicante Bouschet, Aubun, Grand Noir, Petite Sirah, Peloursin, Trousseau noir, Syrah, Petit Bouschet, Cinsault). That noted, it tastes like a 75% Zin and 25% Petitie Sirah to me. Very nice wine, no wonder WS scored it 93 points. The mixed blacks make this a dark Zin and add some extra depth with black fruits. Soft tannins offer slight grip on the finish. Lacks some of the "all-spice" and bright berry I associate with Zin but otherwise no complaints. 92-94 point range. Drink now with decant or wait.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2018 - mpsocal Likes this wine: 93 Points
This one is delicious. Flavor of ripe blueberries with an amazingly long finish. Definite rebuy if I can find it.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/25/2018 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Arrived in Denmark not too long ago but already showing what it is made of! A great Montafi! Full bodied, rich and decadent yet also juicy, energetic, long and so satisfying! As often before it sports a lively mix of fresh and candied raspberries and blackberries mixed with loads of zin-spices and a chocolatey note. All the while it remains juicy and energetic. Very well done! To me, this is what lifts this and so many other Carlisle Zin’s above the many other good producers of Zin
10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
6/5/2018 - cubswinws wrote:
JD 95
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2018 - rieslinghoarder Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pop n' pour, drank two glasses over two hours. Ripe red fruits, notably raspberry and sour cherry, with hints of bramble and soil. Medium body, fresh acidity and smooth though slightly astringent tannins. I find this less complex than the 2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Pinet Olivet Ranches, which I adored, but it's still a very tasty zinfandel with upside potential.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2018 - RockyII wrote: 90 Points
1 hour decant. Deep garnet. Nose of raspberry and cedar. Taste is tart with raspberry, cranberry and ash. Very dry with high tannins and medium acidity, dryer than most Zins. Definitely not an extracted fruit style. Can hardly tell it’s a Zin. Medium plus body. While I don’t like over the top I do prefer more fruit flavors in my Zin. Maybe flavors are pushed down by the high tannins at this point. Would give another year or more before opening another bottle.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2018 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good dark fruit with touch of earthiness
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2018 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark rich red and black fruit, sour cherry, classic Zin flavors, but very sexy and velvety, great balance and leaves you wanting more. Great stuff.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2018 - Jazz Nut Likes this wine: 92 Points
I couldn't resist opening one of these bottles from my recent Carlisle shipment! This wine is quite primary, but at the same time delicious, and high quality, especially with a few hours in the decanter. Not much more that I can add to the tasting notes of others, but I cannot wait to see how this wine evolves over the next few years. Rating today I'd say with a good decant, a 92. Potentially an upside to 93-94 with a few years of bottle age.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2018 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dried raspberry, cranberry and red cherry, with fresh mulch, thyme and sage. A lively long finish and a juicy core, with contrails of acidity. Impressive as always, this grand cru vineyard in the Piner-Olivet area of the Russian River Valley does not know how to disappoint. This prodigious vineyard was purchased by the Seghesio family in 2014, and I am relieved that Mike is still able to source fruit from this heralded site. Drink now - 2030.
8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2018 - Wilarsen wrote: 95 Points
Dramatic yet refined and well-built, with floral blueberry and licorice aromas that lead to supple black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and spiced cinnamon flavors that glide on a long finish. Drink now through 2026
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2018 - ohne_musik wrote: 91 Points
Nice, approachable young Carlisle. Very pretty red and black fruit, a firm spine of acid, moderate tannins, and lots of savory umami elements brought out by a pappardalle with wild boar ragu - soy, mushroom, even some taco spice!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment