Full bodied. Well balanced with firm tannins. Nice complexity, good structure, with dark fruits, cassis, vanilla, oak and tobacco. Throwing off good sediment. Let breathe about 30 to 45 minutes.
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Medium bodied. Great structure with medium tannins. Good complexity, Pepper, dark fruit including blackberries, cassis, vanilla and a hint of tobacco. Let breath for about 45 minutes. Drinking nicely now, but perhaps a bit early.
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I drive by and check out Mancini often. It is at a somewhat busy corner in far west Santa Rosa, yet this is a grand cru, old vine Zinfandel dominant vineyard. One with so much history, and beautiful, gnarly vines. To be perfectly transparent, I am very obsessive with the vineyards that Mike works with in the Piner-Olivet area of the Russian River Valley AVA. From what I have experienced, the finest Zinfandels out California are grown in that particular AVA. Carlisle works with the best vineyards within this relatively small area - this also includes Papa’s Block and Two Acres. With that stated, 2021 is (bold statement here) the finest vintage for Carlisle. The 2021 Mancini is astonishing. On day five it is stunning. Almost salacious. This is close to perfection. Jay Maddox, who would eschew this statement, is one of the best winemakers to ever touch a Zinfandel grape. The next round of ‘21s will released in December and I am giddy for them. I tend to engage (or should I state gulp?) in more Carlisle than wines from any other winery every year. The 2021s will eclipse my previous vintage indulgences. I have annihilated six bottle of this so far. It seriously changes every single time and the acidity is perfect. Better than ‘16, ‘18, ‘19 and ‘20 - which were all amazing. Mancini is the acid queen and has become a true icon.
Billiets Zin-Tastic Zinfandels (Billiet's Bordelo): Dark cherry and raspberry on the nose. Also, slight bandaid note coming through, although not off-putting. The finish is plush with a little fattness, but very smooth and integrated. My 5 of 6.
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Consumed over two days. Loaded with power and finesse, the middle palate is round and very layered. This stretches along with this amazing finish. Such a fine, quenching acidity. A cornucopia of berries, with Indian spice, blood orange and red licorice. This remains fresh. Medium to full-bodied. Remarkable and without seeming generic, this is the best Mancini yet. Better than the epic ‘19. With all the stuffing and form to live long. The purity of fruit and sense of place really draw you in. Drink now - 2033.
Tasted alongside the 2020 and for me this one just doesn't show the complexity and sophistication of the 2020. The fruit profile is very nice but it's missing a little bit of structure compared to its brethren. Tannans are fine and rounded out, very approachable at this point.
Tasted from barrel 5/28/22. 97 - 99. A more serious and refined version of the staggering ‘19, I am again reminded how much Mancini has improved. I recall the ‘15 being possibly my least favorite from that vintage upon release. However, that has all changed. Like the ‘21 Montafi, I would not be surprised if this is the best yet from here. Truly special.
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Red, Blue, Purple Fruits, anise, black pepper, earth and spice. Solid complex Zin, a little tight in the beginning, but after half hour in glass, opens up nicely with long finish. Mouthwatering Acidity makes it pair well with Spicy foods. A real Winner!
Day 2 (1/3 bottle recorked) it is real spectacular, not shy at all, more concentrated. I like this better than the Papera and Piner-Olivet, a bit more blue/purple fruit than Papera. Love the Acidity, perfect with Chile Rellenos.
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4/3/2024 - ledocq Likes this wine:
Great with lasagne. Not as bold as the Ridge Geyserville, but just as good. Nice long finish.
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4/2/2024 - fdub Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very Zinny. Bramble and spice on the nose. Solid mouth feel and mint laced red and dark fruits. Acid is a touch pronounced otherwise a nice bottle.
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3/26/2024 - Robwild Likes this wine: 92 Points
Full bodied. Well balanced with firm tannins. Nice complexity, good structure, with dark fruits, cassis, vanilla, oak and tobacco. Throwing off good sediment. Let breathe about 30 to 45 minutes.
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3/22/2024 - Robwild Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium bodied. Great structure with medium tannins. Good complexity, Pepper, dark fruit including blackberries, cassis, vanilla and a hint of tobacco. Let breath for about 45 minutes. Drinking nicely now, but perhaps a bit early.
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1/6/2024 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is a terrific wine. Drinking very well despite being relatively young. Classic Zinfandel......very deep and dark with a good bit of complexity.
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11/10/2023 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really delicious Zin
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9/9/2023 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:
I drive by and check out Mancini often. It is at a somewhat busy corner in far west Santa Rosa, yet this is a grand cru, old vine Zinfandel dominant vineyard. One with so much history, and beautiful, gnarly vines. To be perfectly transparent, I am very obsessive with the vineyards that Mike works with in the Piner-Olivet area of the Russian River Valley AVA. From what I have experienced, the finest Zinfandels out California are grown in that particular AVA. Carlisle works with the best vineyards within this relatively small area - this also includes Papa’s Block and Two Acres. With that stated, 2021 is (bold statement here) the finest vintage for Carlisle. The 2021 Mancini is astonishing. On day five it is stunning. Almost salacious. This is close to perfection. Jay Maddox, who would eschew this statement, is one of the best winemakers to ever touch a Zinfandel grape. The next round of ‘21s will released in December and I am giddy for them. I tend to engage (or should I state gulp?) in more Carlisle than wines from any other winery every year. The 2021s will eclipse my previous vintage indulgences. I have annihilated six bottle of this so far. It seriously changes every single time and the acidity is perfect. Better than ‘16, ‘18, ‘19 and ‘20 - which were all amazing. Mancini is the acid queen and has become a true icon.
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4/27/2023 - bubbachumps wrote: 92 Points
Billiets Zin-Tastic Zinfandels (Billiet's Bordelo): Dark cherry and raspberry on the nose. Also, slight bandaid note coming through, although not off-putting. The finish is plush with a little fattness, but very smooth and integrated. My 5 of 6.
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4/1/2023 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 98 Points
Consumed over two days. Loaded with power and finesse, the middle palate is round and very layered. This stretches along with this amazing finish. Such a fine, quenching acidity. A cornucopia of berries, with Indian spice, blood orange and red licorice. This remains fresh. Medium to full-bodied. Remarkable and without seeming generic, this is the best Mancini yet. Better than the epic ‘19. With all the stuffing and form to live long. The purity of fruit and sense of place really draw you in. Drink now - 2033.
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3/26/2023 - brigcampbell wrote:
Tasted alongside the 2020 and for me this one just doesn't show the complexity and sophistication of the 2020. The fruit profile is very nice but it's missing a little bit of structure compared to its brethren. Tannans are fine and rounded out, very approachable at this point.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
3/9/2023 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:
Tasted from barrel 5/28/22. 97 - 99. A more serious and refined version of the staggering ‘19, I am again reminded how much Mancini has improved. I recall the ‘15 being possibly my least favorite from that vintage upon release. However, that has all changed. Like the ‘21 Montafi, I would not be surprised if this is the best yet from here. Truly special.
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3/4/2023 - LACERS Likes this wine: 95 Points
Red, Blue, Purple Fruits, anise, black pepper, earth and spice. Solid complex Zin, a little tight in the beginning, but after half hour in glass, opens up nicely with long finish. Mouthwatering Acidity makes it pair well with Spicy foods. A real Winner!
Day 2 (1/3 bottle recorked) it is real spectacular, not shy at all, more concentrated. I like this better than the Papera and Piner-Olivet, a bit more blue/purple fruit than Papera. Love the Acidity, perfect with Chile Rellenos.
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