Stone fruit, akin to an apricot flesh and pit quality. I also got what I jotted down both in the aromatic and palate as brewed coffee. Roasted fruit, touch of tar and some heat. This is a burlier version of Carlisle and as I think about where Mike's wines have evolved to, I recall the 2016 Piner Olivet Ranches bottle I had earlier this week. While a decade separates these wines, what cannot be disregarded is that the shift in the balance and weight is clearly evident. Good to reminisce with the older stuff but I clearly like the new era wines from Mike far better.
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Was a bit anxious about this one since it was a gift from a neighbor/friend and storage was questionable. Initial taste on opening was that this was a bit "hot", which at 15.8% abv wasn't unexpected. Visual inspection showed only slight bricking on the rim with a nice ruby core. On the nose is more heat and some smoke and dry earth. After 1-2 hour decant the alcohol has blown off a bit. There is ripe black cherry along with a hint of leafiness (?), baking spice, very ripe green plum, medium acidity and medium fine grained tannins that sit for a good while on the sides of the tongue.
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The nose showed rich raspberry jam, hints of vanilla and herbs. On the palate, I found red brambly fruit, spices and a hint of cola. The finish was pleasant, long and fresh.
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15.9% ABV. Translucent dark garnet in the glass. Sweet smelling nose of raisin and red berry fruit. Medium full bodied with fruit that echoes the nose plus a little mulberry and a touch of tea creeping suggesting this is on the downhill side of maturity, but still drinking pretty well. Tasty.
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I agree with the brambly-ness comment about this wine, but it doesn't knock my socks off. This is a very good wine hitting a very good stride though, with lots of berries and dry graphite and a very slight hint of zinny sweetness. I can't emphasize enough though that while theres enough jam to know this is zin, it is totally restrained and fits wonderfully with the still large but entirely integrated tannins. The only drawbacks are that it isn't very complex and theres a touch of heat in there (15.8 alcohol), but all in all, a very good wine at a very good place. Drink now through 2013.
Second Day: More integrated, this could actually improve with perhaps another year or two. Still a big but pretty balanced wine, nothing new to taste, just better integrated. Score adjusted to a 92 from a 91. Drink now through 2015 and perhaps beyond?
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4/29/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Stone fruit, akin to an apricot flesh and pit quality. I also got what I jotted down both in the aromatic and palate as brewed coffee. Roasted fruit, touch of tar and some heat. This is a burlier version of Carlisle and as I think about where Mike's wines have evolved to, I recall the 2016 Piner Olivet Ranches bottle I had earlier this week. While a decade separates these wines, what cannot be disregarded is that the shift in the balance and weight is clearly evident. Good to reminisce with the older stuff but I clearly like the new era wines from Mike far better.
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5/3/2015 - vin0vin0 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Was a bit anxious about this one since it was a gift from a neighbor/friend and storage was questionable. Initial taste on opening was that this was a bit "hot", which at 15.8% abv wasn't unexpected. Visual inspection showed only slight bricking on the rim with a nice ruby core. On the nose is more heat and some smoke and dry earth. After 1-2 hour decant the alcohol has blown off a bit. There is ripe black cherry along with a hint of leafiness (?), baking spice, very ripe green plum, medium acidity and medium fine grained tannins that sit for a good while on the sides of the tongue.
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5/30/2011 - Eric Guido wrote: 90 Points
The nose showed rich raspberry jam, hints of vanilla and herbs. On the palate, I found red brambly fruit, spices and a hint of cola. The finish was pleasant, long and fresh.
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5/24/2011 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
15.9% ABV. Translucent dark garnet in the glass. Sweet smelling nose of raisin and red berry fruit. Medium full bodied with fruit that echoes the nose plus a little mulberry and a touch of tea creeping suggesting this is on the downhill side of maturity, but still drinking pretty well. Tasty.
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4/24/2011 - BradboBaggins Likes this wine: 92 Points
I agree with the brambly-ness comment about this wine, but it doesn't knock my socks off. This is a very good wine hitting a very good stride though, with lots of berries and dry graphite and a very slight hint of zinny sweetness. I can't emphasize enough though that while theres enough jam to know this is zin, it is totally restrained and fits wonderfully with the still large but entirely integrated tannins. The only drawbacks are that it isn't very complex and theres a touch of heat in there (15.8 alcohol), but all in all, a very good wine at a very good place. Drink now through 2013.
Second Day: More integrated, this could actually improve with perhaps another year or two. Still a big but pretty balanced wine, nothing new to taste, just better integrated. Score adjusted to a 92 from a 91. Drink now through 2015 and perhaps beyond?
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