Crimson in color. 15% ABV. Sublime nose of red and black fruits, baking spices and earth. Medium body with just enough acidity. Cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and pepper on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Delicious Zinfandel that is ready to drink. Best over the next year or so.
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PnP. High-toned red fruit nose with a line of mint and a hint of lime. Rustic red raspberry and cherry with a peppery acidic backbone. Line of red clay, firm tannins, and lots of brush and earth. Would have benefitted from an hour or two decant.
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Decanted one hour. Initial pruny/porty aromas blew off after decanting. Lots of blackberries, black cherries and earth on the nose. Red fruits, cherries and brambleberry on the medium bodied palate. Silky tannins line the black cherry finish. Believe this is nearing peak but has good structure for 3-6 more years.
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Nose of cherries and sun-baked earth. Zesty black and red raspberry with lively energy, rose water, red pepper, and layers of earth and dried orange peel. Tannins are prominent but pliable on the finish, with dried herbs, capers, leaves, and brush. Balanced and in a good place right now.
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Bramble and vanilla on the nose and palate, a bit tannic with a lush mouthfeel, moderately long finish low acidity overall a nice wine though I do prefer other Carlisles to this one.
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Decanted, plum, pepper, multiple red fruits. With toscana cheese more of an orange/peach note came through. Became more floral with air. Solid acid, mild tannins.
Paired with "Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip" recipe by Jessica Gavin. Reverse seared a 3lb prime tri tip from Costco to resting temp of 135 F.
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I’ve come to expect great things from Carlisle after enjoying many spectacular bottles over the years. But this one just missed the mark. Meek and unimpressive. Drinkable on par with other weekday wines, but nothing special to see here. Fruit is light red, tannins are mild, and flavors just don’t emerge. Even the best have an off day; this is a rare miss from the maestro.
One more bottle is waiting. I’ll hold it for at least a year to see if whatever might be hiding emerges.
To me, this is integrated & ready now. It’s time to enjoy a rare beauty. Because of the fires that ravaged parts of Sonoma County, in 2017, this Pagani (98% Zin) is w/o the usual estate Alicante. It is the primary blender here, which is specific to this site, more than anywhere else. What a unique opportunity to sample an elegant singular Zinfandel from Pagani. 2 of 3 122+ year old vines. Vinted with restraint, Carlisle homered on this one.
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Dark black raspberry, touch of earth and black pepper. Just gorgoeus. Great acid, tannins are there needed a hard hour decant but then came alive. 2021-2030
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Popped and poured. Lovely, medium bodied, elegant Cali zin. Stunning floral nose. The wine is light coloured, red fruited, almost pinot like. So delicious now it’s hard to hold off but it will age gracefully. Lovely stuff but very different than most Zins
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Trying hard to like this one, this vintage but it just isn't working. This remains thin in the mouth, light red in color, almost pinot-ish. Only a hint of fruit, no acidity, no flavor......very disappointing. Feels ike I got the bottom of the barrel with these two bottles and there's still one to go.....I think I'll gift it.
I get nothing like the last review. Perhaps the bottle was flawed. The nose is floral purple flowers. Very balanced with red, black fruits and spicy pepper notes. Very pure. Excellent wine.
Almost translucent ruby color. Nose of stewed dark fruits. An initial tongue sensation of "thick" berry fruit. Slightly more "sweetness" than I prefer. Lots of acidic spritz around the edges of the tongue, but, interestingly the fruit does not show much tartness.
Really well done. When you’re in the mood for something ripe and intense this is great. As always it is well balanced and the power is really well buffered by the acidity.
Funny bottle...... 1st night....rather unremarkable. Felt like a zin, but nothing really stood out. Saved a glass for the next night, put the cork in the bottle, no gas.
2nd night.....still rather unremarkable. A hint of tart cherry fruit. Sage on the nose, but if you swirl the glass it turns out this bitter green waft of crushed dandelion leaves. Weird. Can barely tell it's a zin by the palate. Nothing remarkable about this bottle. It's not corked, it's not cooked, it doesn't have brett, it's just not very good in a very weird way.
All Carlisle Zins are great. Right now this one isn’t showing its full potential. Don’t open this for a year or two. Tightly wound, nice tannins, precise, fruits are hiding in the background.
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Popped and poured into a decanter where it sat for 30 minutes. Medium reddish purple; lighter at rim. Very good nose and excellent flavors of boysenberry and other red fruits, plus zin spices. Fairly plush mouthfeel; no noticeable tannins. Very young, and lacking any "wow" factor. Only 89 points now, but expect it will end up 2-3 points higher in a few years. After 1 hour in the decanter, the wine fleshes out a bit and some fine tannins sneak into the picture. A little more like I expected for a Pagani Ranch bottling. Bumped to 90 points. My least favorite of the '17 Carlisle zins I've tried so far.
4/7/2024 - tomlee wrote: 92 Points
Crimson in color. 15% ABV. Sublime nose of red and black fruits, baking spices and earth. Medium body with just enough acidity. Cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and pepper on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Delicious Zinfandel that is ready to drink. Best over the next year or so.
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11/3/2023 - joet626 Likes this wine: 91 Points
very good. Nice dark berry fruit
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9/4/2023 - Hover low 64 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drank last bottle a year later - no change in tasting notes or score.
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5/20/2023 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP. High-toned red fruit nose with a line of mint and a hint of lime. Rustic red raspberry and cherry with a peppery acidic backbone. Line of red clay, firm tannins, and lots of brush and earth. Would have benefitted from an hour or two decant.
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2/6/2023 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
tasty. Lots of black licorice on this
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1/14/2023 - BHRH Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted one hour. Initial pruny/porty aromas blew off after decanting. Lots of blackberries, black cherries and earth on the nose. Red fruits, cherries and brambleberry on the medium bodied palate. Silky tannins line the black cherry finish. Believe this is nearing peak but has good structure for 3-6 more years.
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12/23/2022 - tmstl wrote: 89 Points
Blackberry and a hint of shoe leather like a Syrah. Definitely a food wine.
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12/10/2022 - dougsmith Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep ruby color. Nose of sweet black cherry and floral notes. Full bodied on the palate, juicy and full of black fruit.
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11/20/2022 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose of cherries and sun-baked earth. Zesty black and red raspberry with lively energy, rose water, red pepper, and layers of earth and dried orange peel. Tannins are prominent but pliable on the finish, with dried herbs, capers, leaves, and brush. Balanced and in a good place right now.
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11/19/2022 - Teaky Likes this wine:
Bramble and vanilla on the nose and palate, a bit tannic with a lush mouthfeel, moderately long finish low acidity overall a nice wine though I do prefer other Carlisles to this one.
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9/16/2022 - Mtnmd1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking really well right now. Great aromatics on the nose and long balanced finish. Superb!
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7/3/2022 - mattboney Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted, plum, pepper, multiple red fruits. With toscana cheese more of an orange/peach note came through. Became more floral with air. Solid acid, mild tannins.
Paired with "Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip" recipe by Jessica Gavin. Reverse seared a 3lb prime tri tip from Costco to resting temp of 135 F.
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6/1/2022 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bright red fruited wine wine good nose and soft finish.
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5/2/2022 - Hover low 64 Likes this wine: 89 Points
I’ve come to expect great things from Carlisle after enjoying many spectacular bottles over the years. But this one just missed the mark. Meek and unimpressive. Drinkable on par with other weekday wines, but nothing special to see here. Fruit is light red, tannins are mild, and flavors just don’t emerge. Even the best have an off day; this is a rare miss from the maestro.
One more bottle is waiting. I’ll hold it for at least a year to see if whatever might be hiding emerges.
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3/11/2022 - Maphill01 wrote:
Bramble, blackberry some pomegranate and white pepper. 15% ABV but hides it well. Medium weight but full mouthfeel. Fresh, but not mouthwatering.
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2/11/2022 - ginfizz wrote: 93 Points
Integrated, medium weight, complexity builds over an hour. Brilliant!
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2/2/2022 - stokeme wrote: 93 Points
To me, this is integrated & ready now. It’s time to enjoy a rare beauty. Because of the fires that ravaged parts of Sonoma County, in 2017, this Pagani (98% Zin) is w/o the usual estate Alicante. It is the primary blender here, which is specific to this site, more than anywhere else. What a unique opportunity to sample an elegant singular Zinfandel from Pagani. 2 of 3
122+ year old vines. Vinted with restraint, Carlisle homered on this one.
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12/28/2021 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark black raspberry, touch of earth and black pepper. Just gorgoeus. Great acid, tannins are there needed a hard hour decant but then came alive. 2021-2030
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12/12/2021 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lighter than some Pagani ranch vintages with translucent ruby color. Strawberry fruit really comes through, followed by Zin spice.
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11/10/2021 - rustyRudy wrote: 92 Points
Medium red. Pretty nose of candy apple, raspberry and spice. Medium bodied, raspberry, blackberries, acidity and raspberry tea. Not a big fruit bomb.
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6/8/2021 - mclanew Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Lovely, medium bodied, elegant Cali zin. Stunning floral nose. The wine is light coloured, red fruited, almost pinot like. So delicious now it’s hard to hold off but it will age gracefully. Lovely stuff but very different than most Zins
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6/4/2021 - Mark1npt wrote: 88 Points
Trying hard to like this one, this vintage but it just isn't working. This remains thin in the mouth, light red in color, almost pinot-ish. Only a hint of fruit, no acidity, no flavor......very disappointing. Feels ike I got the bottom of the barrel with these two bottles and there's still one to go.....I think I'll gift it.
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5/31/2021 - Mootsie Likes this wine: 94 Points
I get nothing like the last review. Perhaps the bottle was flawed.
The nose is floral purple flowers. Very balanced with red, black fruits and spicy pepper notes. Very pure. Excellent wine.
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5/24/2021 - EMark Likes this wine:
Almost translucent ruby color. Nose of stewed dark fruits. An initial tongue sensation of "thick" berry fruit. Slightly more "sweetness" than I prefer. Lots of acidic spritz around the edges of the tongue, but, interestingly the fruit does not show much tartness.
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5/19/2021 - acorelli Likes this wine: 92 Points
On opening, 88-89. After 3 hours, solid 92.
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4/19/2021 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 93 Points
Always one of the best Carlisle's and this is no exception
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2/18/2021 - fdub Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really well done. When you’re in the mood for something ripe and intense this is great. As always it is well balanced and the power is really well buffered by the acidity.
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12/20/2020 - Mark1npt Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Funny bottle......
1st night....rather unremarkable. Felt like a zin, but nothing really stood out. Saved a glass for the next night, put the cork in the bottle, no gas.
2nd night.....still rather unremarkable. A hint of tart cherry fruit. Sage on the nose, but if you swirl the glass it turns out this bitter green waft of crushed dandelion leaves. Weird. Can barely tell it's a zin by the palate. Nothing remarkable about this bottle. It's not corked, it's not cooked, it doesn't have brett, it's just not very good in a very weird way.
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9/21/2020 - absimmons wrote:
Really good
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5/10/2020 - Adam T 12 Likes this wine: 92 Points
All Carlisle Zins are great. Right now this one isn’t showing its full potential. Don’t open this for a year or two. Tightly wound, nice tannins, precise, fruits are hiding in the background.
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11/1/2019 - VoVo Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a very good wine. It has lots of age left on it.
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9/18/2019 - Neras Likes this wine: 94 Points
Mike really nailed it with the 2017's. Fresh and light to its feet, this still has depth and complexity. I am thinking a burgundy like zin. Lovely.
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8/24/2019 - newsguy1 wrote: 90 Points
Give this at least two more years. I expect some patience will pay big dividends.
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6/16/2019 - Brhouts Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent young zin. Wish I had more
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5/1/2019 - newsguy1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Popped and poured into a decanter where it sat for 30 minutes. Medium reddish purple; lighter at rim. Very good nose and excellent flavors of boysenberry and other red fruits, plus zin spices. Fairly plush mouthfeel; no noticeable tannins. Very young, and lacking any "wow" factor. Only 89 points now, but expect it will end up 2-3 points higher in a few years. After 1 hour in the decanter, the wine fleshes out a bit and some fine tannins sneak into the picture. A little more like I expected for a Pagani Ranch bottling. Bumped to 90 points. My least favorite of the '17 Carlisle zins I've tried so far.
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4/12/2019 - jstarnes Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good. Still young. Will hold my other bottle 2-3 years.
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