P&P, consumed over 2 days. Drank this while camping and it was a touch too cold (from the cooler) on day 1. Day 2 it was delicious! Black fruit, hints of tobacco and pepper, and mocha on the finish. Good stuff, as always. Drink now - 2033.
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PNP. blackberry, blueberry pepper. Ripe fruit, full bodied, with fresh acidity and a bit of tannin providing balance. Straightforward, enjoyable Syrah.
P&P through an aerator. Black pepper, woodsmoke, baking spice, blackberry and hints of cherry. This is still a bit tight, so recommend a decant or holding another couple of years. Was still showing strong (and best) on day 3. Drink 2023-2033.
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A nose of dark fruit and spice, purple in color. A medium to full bodied red, with blueberry, dark cherry, and smoky peppery flavors on long finish. Always good every year, a great QPR. www.winelx.com
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Popped and poured. Nose of black raspberry jam, vanilla, licorice, spice and bramble. Ripe black fruit, vanilla, licorice and spice on the palate. Long finish. Full bodied. A good QPR. Served with beef empanadas.
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Earthy, herbaceous nose with hints of smoked meat and bacon fat. Medium mouthfeel, very primary almost grapey on the palate, with dark fruits, hints of licorice. Short finish, with an slightly abrupt tannic element. On the bubble, on the one hand a little one dimensional and out of wack, but a few more years in the cellar will may help with the development of secondary aromas and flavors. On balance I skuggy, slightly disappointing given the pedigree of the winery….
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I have to agree with @PGM from 8/15/20, almost exactly a year ago. This is a tremendous value in a fabulous "entry level" blend! Also have to agree with @Dale M - I wish I had bought way more than 2 bottles!
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A little less tannic and more plush the the SV’s, this is a terrific QPR. Ripe polished purple fruit with some mild pepper notes mixed in. In a ripe upfront style but hides the 15% alcohol well. Solid. Followed over 2 nights with no degradation.
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While I have enjoyed all of the Carlisle (and Bedrock) basic Syrahs and ZIns, its hard to guess how to allocate funds for these vs single vineyard designations which often do not cost a substantial increase in price. If I had tasted my one and only of this 18 Sono Co. Syrah I would have bought at least 6. I like pgm's note on 8-15, my view as well.
Surprisingly complex nose with spices and flowers and gamy notes over blackcurrant pastilles, cherry and blueberry. Gets better and better with more time, and way beyond expectations at its price. In the mouth it’s very good but not quite as staggering as the nose. Balanced and pure cherry and cassis fruit, finishing with light but lingering blackberry fruit and spice. A huge success of a wine. Definitely ready, and should be great for another 5 years and maybe 10.
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Now, this is what I want out of a $24 North Coast Syrah! Ruby red in color with a nose of sweet cassis, black cherry, red flowers. The oak is a little overdone and the flavors are a little green from whole clusters, but overall this is a tremendous value. You can pop and pour this today.
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Still feeling much too young to really appreciate the full package on this developing beauty, but I think that in two years or so it will definitely be memorable. Very restrained on day one, even after a two or three hour decant, hugely reticient on the nose with some bright cherry. When it does open up the meatiness and blackberry comes to the fore and a more earthy midpalate is on display. Very much a cool climate influenced syrah and yes, I agree that it's one of the best American syrahs for under $25. Would really like to have enough to chart it's evolution properly over the next decade plus.
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Nice tangy red fruit--cherry, cranberry. Lots of savoriness and spice--mace, cinnamon. Interesting tannin--I get tannin puckeriness, but it is not over the top. If there is a better $25 Syrah, I want all I can get.
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Popped and poured, and then consumed over four hours. Lots of gorgeous dark red fruit, and a peppery, savory streak. But it’s the texture that really sets this apart, which is a signature of many Carlisle syrahs. And it finishes long, too, with lingering cherry and dark chocolate aspects. This a $25 wine two weeks off the truck? Are you kidding me? One of the best sub-$30 wines I’ve ever had. 93.
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Consistent as ever, cool red and black fruits with integrated baking spices and silky texture. This is a very good Syrah, hard to beat at this price point.
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Fantastic value. Purple fruit, fine pepper and spice note. Palate is ripe and inviting but plenty of structure. Held up well over 2 nights. Great stuff.
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Fresh blueberries, grilled herbs, milk chocolate, ripe raspberry and bacon fat. This vintage is the most Northern Rhône yet, with some cooler tendencies, yet such stunning fruit still does not hide its Californian persona. The entry is plush, with a polished middle and a long finish. Medium-to full-bodied, and the tannins are quite fine. This will age quite well and is still an infant. Drink 2022 - 2037.
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9/18/2023 - caroleandjay Likes this wine: 91 Points
Let air in glass for 45 from the cellar. Could have used a bit more.
One thought:
Why didn't I buy more?
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7/15/2022 - B&Dg Likes this wine: 88 Points
Needed a little more time in the bottle, but not bad.
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6/25/2022 - RPerro Likes this wine: 92 Points
P&P, consumed over 2 days. Drank this while camping and it was a touch too cold (from the cooler) on day 1. Day 2 it was delicious! Black fruit, hints of tobacco and pepper, and mocha on the finish. Good stuff, as always. Drink now - 2033.
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4/15/2022 - denisontb Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delicious !
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3/19/2022 - Maphill01 wrote:
PNP. blackberry, blueberry pepper. Ripe fruit, full bodied, with fresh acidity and a bit of tannin providing balance. Straightforward, enjoyable Syrah.
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3/12/2022 - denisontb Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is delicious !!
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2/2/2022 - RPerro Likes this wine: 92 Points
P&P through an aerator. Black pepper, woodsmoke, baking spice, blackberry and hints of cherry. This is still a bit tight, so recommend a decant or holding another couple of years. Was still showing strong (and best) on day 3. Drink 2023-2033.
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1/17/2022 - corkscrews Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nose of dark fruit and spice, purple in color. A medium to full bodied red, with blueberry, dark cherry, and smoky peppery flavors on long finish. Always good every year, a great QPR. www.winelx.com
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12/21/2021 - hoservin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Nose of black raspberry jam, vanilla, licorice, spice and bramble. Ripe black fruit, vanilla, licorice and spice on the palate. Long finish. Full bodied. A good QPR. Served with beef empanadas.
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9/17/2021 - bergkamp10 wrote: flawed
Earthy, herbaceous nose with hints of smoked meat and bacon fat. Medium mouthfeel, very primary almost grapey on the palate, with dark fruits, hints of licorice. Short finish, with an slightly abrupt tannic element. On the bubble, on the one hand a little one dimensional and out of wack, but a few more years in the cellar will may help with the development of secondary aromas and flavors. On balance I skuggy, slightly disappointing given the pedigree of the winery….
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8/12/2021 - fdub Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasty and well done appellation blend but lacking a touch of complexity.
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8/10/2021 - JERB wrote: 91 Points
I have to agree with @PGM from 8/15/20, almost exactly a year ago. This is a tremendous value in a fabulous "entry level" blend! Also have to agree with @Dale M - I wish I had bought way more than 2 bottles!
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5/19/2021 - rmanza@comcast.net wrote:
Mis added sb 2019.
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3/25/2021 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 90 Points
A little less tannic and more plush the the SV’s, this is a terrific QPR. Ripe polished purple fruit with some mild pepper notes mixed in. In a ripe upfront style but hides the 15% alcohol well. Solid. Followed over 2 nights with no degradation.
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2/26/2021 - HFLED Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice, but a little heavy on the heat and not quite as flavorful or as well balanced as similar Syrahs around the same price point (e.g. Bedrock).
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2/6/2021 - Dale M wrote: 91 Points
While I have enjoyed all of the Carlisle (and Bedrock) basic Syrahs and ZIns, its hard to guess how to allocate funds for these vs single vineyard designations which often do not cost a substantial increase in price. If I had tasted my one and only of this 18 Sono Co. Syrah I would have bought at least 6. I like pgm's note on 8-15, my view as well.
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1/31/2021 - jmull Likes this wine: 93 Points
I’ve now been through four bottles of this, and there isn’t much more to say except that it’s an achievement for the price point.
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10/5/2020 - jmull Likes this wine: 93 Points
Once again, staggering for the price.
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10/4/2020 - Neras Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really nice. I could drink this any day!
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9/6/2020 - Neras Likes this wine:
Dark red. New and fresh. Needs a little age. Fruity and balanced with a very long taste. Wonder how I can find another 12 bottles of this!
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8/15/2020 - pgm wrote: 93 Points
Surprisingly complex nose with spices and flowers and gamy notes over blackcurrant pastilles, cherry and blueberry. Gets better and better with more time, and way beyond expectations at its price. In the mouth it’s very good but not quite as staggering as the nose. Balanced and pure cherry and cassis fruit, finishing with light but lingering blackberry fruit and spice. A huge success of a wine. Definitely ready, and should be great for another 5 years and maybe 10.
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7/29/2020 - yasha Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always good
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6/21/2020 - jmull Likes this wine:
Consistent with earlier bottles. The richness and balance this shows at $25 is just crazy. Insane quality/price ratio.
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6/16/2020 - jgreco Likes this wine: 90 Points
Now, this is what I want out of a $24 North Coast Syrah! Ruby red in color with a nose of sweet cassis, black cherry, red flowers. The oak is a little overdone and the flavors are a little green from whole clusters, but overall this is a tremendous value. You can pop and pour this today.
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6/14/2020 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still feeling much too young to really appreciate the full package on this developing beauty, but I think that in two years or so it will definitely be memorable. Very restrained on day one, even after a two or three hour decant, hugely reticient on the nose with some bright cherry. When it does open up the meatiness and blackberry comes to the fore and a more earthy midpalate is on display. Very much a cool climate influenced syrah and yes, I agree that it's one of the best American syrahs for under $25. Would really like to have enough to chart it's evolution properly over the next decade plus.
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5/2/2020 - EMark Likes this wine:
Nice tangy red fruit--cherry, cranberry. Lots of savoriness and spice--mace, cinnamon. Interesting tannin--I get tannin puckeriness, but it is not over the top. If there is a better $25 Syrah, I want all I can get.
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4/30/2020 - jmull Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured, and then consumed over four hours. Lots of gorgeous dark red fruit, and a peppery, savory streak. But it’s the texture that really sets this apart, which is a signature of many Carlisle syrahs. And it finishes long, too, with lingering cherry and dark chocolate aspects. This a $25 wine two weeks off the truck? Are you kidding me? One of the best sub-$30 wines I’ve ever had. 93.
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4/27/2020 - pakabear Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent as ever, cool red and black fruits with integrated baking spices and silky texture. This is a very good Syrah, hard to beat at this price point.
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4/27/2020 - mkates2000 wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful and vibrant. This is a wine you want to drink a gain and again. Lish and ripe with phenomenal fruit and balance for a Cali syrah
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4/26/2020 - Dionysusx Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lush, ripe dark fruits, oak, hints of licorice. Like drinking silk. Subtle cocoa on the long, moderately tannic finish. Superb from beginning to end.
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4/19/2020 - DianaPaul Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful deep color with a very cherry burst of flavor. will buy again.
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4/17/2020 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fantastic value. Purple fruit, fine pepper and spice note. Palate is ripe and inviting but plenty of structure. Held up well over 2 nights. Great stuff.
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4/15/2020 - purely Likes this wine: 93 Points
4/20 RELEASE 56RADIANT RIDGE 35 PAPA'S BLOCK 9 MIXED BLACKS The nose is sticky plum, strawberry, peppercorn, and dried meat. The plate dry, direct, and focused plum, pulverized stone, strawberry, and finely-tuned acidity. Drink 2020 - 2028.
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4/4/2020 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good Syrah, nice dark fruit with good acidity. Quite dry.
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4/3/2020 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fresh blueberries, grilled herbs, milk chocolate, ripe raspberry and bacon fat. This vintage is the most Northern Rhône yet, with some cooler tendencies, yet such stunning fruit still does not hide its Californian persona. The entry is plush, with a polished middle and a long finish. Medium-to full-bodied, and the tannins are quite fine. This will age quite well and is still an infant. Drink 2022 - 2037.
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