3/24/2024 - John Dunlap Likes this wine:

Limited table side notes. Pretty much a complete Zin. Dark, rich, and well balanced. Simply outstanding. Will age beautifully.

(Served at Underwood Bar and Grill, in Graton, CA. The duck leg confit worked perfectly with this Zinfandel.)

11/13/2023 - ozziewine Likes this wine:

My first experience with Sine Qua Non. Got it on Winebid. Been on the wait list since April of 2014 and still bupkis, so finally got tired of waiting and bit the bullet ($215/$252 w/17% buyers premium – not sure what the winery price was/is).
Experimented with this on PnP, six hours and 24+ hours of air. Ultimately preferred PnP and subsequent aeration in the glass. That’s the norm for me with Syrah. I find the Syrah flavors less intense with air.
With a 15.8% ABV and the legend surrounding SQN, I expected a brutish jammy monster here. I was surprised at how elegant and understated everything about this wine was (is that the SQN style or is this an outlier?). Lighter on the palate than I expected. Felt like a much older wine than its’ four years. I liked that mellow aspect of the wine.
Interesting to compare this to the Andremily wines given that Jim Binns worked alongside the Krankl’s for so many years. In the end I prefer the Andremily. They appeal more to my preferred style with more interesting characteristics, intensity and just a touch of sweetness. Good for me I guess because I don’t think I’ll ever make the SQN list. LOL
Also fascinating was how this SQN reminded me more of the Saxum style than it did the Andremily.
I can see why SQN gets so much hype. This wine was expertly crafted. Would have liked to try it again in 10 years. Oh well.

9/9/2022 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

Wow, this is good. Showing some richness and viscosity in an easy drinking style. Lots of up front red fruit balances out some juicy acidity. Not much in the way of tannins. Clearly on the young side but it's a lot of fun at this stage. Nice to see Saitone back in the Carlisle portfolio.

1/29/2023 - akinisky Does not like this wine:

The funk on this wine is unique and hard to overcome. I didn't like it after P&P through a venturi into a decanter and then pouring into a glass. In fact, I poured it back into the decanter. I came back to it a couple of hours later and it had softened, but the funk was still in the background. I really hope every Horsepower wine doesn't smell/taste like that.

11/12/2022 - RobbieD68 Likes this wine:

Similar to the last time i tasted it, except much more blackberry thn usual. We opened and closed per Justin Smith's recommendation, and it worked beautifully. This is complex and smooth with a lovely finish. My guess is it's peaking, which is fine by me since this was my last one of the vintage.

4/6/2022 - Myman24 wrote:

Basically Coravined the entire bottle within 2-3 months. Too much funk going on, both palate and nose. Some fruit lurking but in a very awkward way. Even with some air the funk just doesn't go away and i really believe that this might be an off bottle. I have some 19 to try out and hopefully they are very different.

4/15/2022 - sonodoc Likes this wine:

Unbelievably smooth with soft tannins, a long finish, and red fruits, we had this as a pop and pour, and it didn’t stay around long enough to find out what some more time in the glass or the bottle might do. I had waited 9 years to get on the list for these wines, and it appears to have been well worth the wait!

2/12/2022 - DrBad wrote:

I've had lots of Rocks wines and this one may just not be my cup of tea, or in this case, pint of porter. Strong Rocks funk combined with what my wife immediately pegged as a beer aroma, in particular, porter, along with heavy vanilla and smoke. Lots of syrupy dark plum fruits, a bit too much for me, with more porter on the palate.

11/25/2021 - Mootsie Likes this wine:

Needs a decant and even then, it still comes across young.
With that being said, this wine presents an intriguing mix of dark fruit and layered notes of pepper, tapenade, smoke and earth. Vibrant and balanced.
At the initial offering price, it’s a deal.
I would let these sit for another 3-5 years and check in again. These are 20+ year wines.

8/21/2021 - Winesquatch Likes this wine:

Amazing with pappardelle and pork/beef ragu. 30 minutes of decanting per the Herman Story guidance was just right

4/23/2021 - John Dunlap Likes this wine:

Wow. Really like. Simply outstanding even more so because of the reasonable price. Buy and imbibe!

(Served with a pork tenderloin and a huckleberry reduction sauce plus a fennel and white bean gratin.)

4/16/2021 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Yes, this is Burgundian, red-fruited and loaded with stunning acidity. On day one, this seems closer to a barrel sample, where the depth is not there yet, but the texture is evident. However, on day six, this was singing. Red fruit medley, tarragon, char siu, dark plum, balsam and spring flowers. Complex, with a medium body and long, with nothing much in regards to tannin; and yet the acidity ensures the cellar. Drink 2025 - 2035.

4/2/2021 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

The Carlisle Carlisle from 2014 continues to improve. Might be near peak drinking window now. Fabulous Zin.

2/5/2021 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

The 2016 from Papera Ranch continues to be a star of the vintage. The acidity is just right and there is a distinctive fruit note somewhere between raspberry-strawberry-cherry. Tannins are soft and unobtrusive and it finishes with a touch of oak and spice. Very drinkable and I suspect it has plateaued but should be great for several more years.

10/17/2020 - pakabear Likes this wine:

I was so curious I just had to open one. Massive dark black fruit, blackberry, plum, black cherry, anise, licorice, asphalt, cinnamon, clove, velvety texture and great balance. The tannins are a firm medium+ so it probably needs 2-3 years to come into harmony but you can have it now with a few hours in the decanter, was very tight as a PnP.

8/11/2020 - rdf58 wrote:

Beginning to hit its stride. Supple texture with red berry-cherry fruit. Likely to continue to improve but I like the freshness and acidity at this stage.

4/22/2020 - John Dunlap Likes this wine:

This is really full of life and needs about a year to settle down and mellow. Quite rambunctious at this stage. Good potential with lots of red fruits, dust, licorice, citrus peel and a touch of red apple and currant at the very end.

4/10/2020 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Over time this bottling has become one of my favorites in the Carlisle portfolio. Decanted for two hours. Blueberry, raw steak, bacon fat, flower shop, dried shallots and gravel pit. Full-bodied, and paradoxically light on its feet, this delivers during every phase of your palate. At the very end this is thick and almost decadent. My favorite ever from here. Decant or wait a couple of years. This must be one of the finest Syrahs to ever come from Santa Lucia Highlands. Drink 2022 - 2034.

4/10/2020 - Hover low 64 Likes this wine:

They were wrong. A reputable wine mag gave this a 92. It may be the best zin I’ve ever had. As I approach my 100th wine review, I look back and see that I’ve never given a 95 until now. This Hayne Vineyard zin is spectacular. Aromas of dark chocolate and pepper and dark fruit. The enticing scent leads to favors of chocolate, blueberry, black berry, mint, black cherry, and white pepper. I can’t describe the depth and intensity of the fruit, but it’s a powerhouse of flavor. Medium tannins and a long finish. I thank the stars that I have another bottle.

12/8/2019 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

After seeing the TN scores (not to mention comments) bounce all over, I was a little concerned about trying my first bottle of the 2016 Papera. No worries, though, and the scores seem to have settled in the 93pt range and this is really good Zin. The acidity is just and there is a distinctive fruit note somewhere between raspberry-strawberry-cherry. Finishes with a touch of oak and spice. Very drinkable and good for several more years, at least

10/15/2019 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

Ruby red and softer textured than expected. More savory than fruity. Comes across like a high end CdR. Finishes with a hint of creaminess (if that makes any sense!). A nice example to the Two Acres.

8/9/2018 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

Bright and young. Lively acidity and the usual Bedrock aromatics. Red berries and a touch of loamy earthy. Interesting contrast to the slightly riper 2015 Carlisle Pagani.

6/3/2018 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

Inky dark purple. Loads of blueberry and dark fruit up front. Full bodied viscosity and ripeness. Surprisingly supple tannins at this stage, especially for the 2014 vintage. Delicious now with lots of upside potential.

5/10/2018 - rustyRudy Likes this wine:

Tasting at the winery. Surprisingly approachable now, but I am sure it will be better in several years. The others that I previously purchased are all tucked away. Blackberries and some earthy, mushroom savory notes.

1/15/2017 - rama wrote:

This wine is all about minerality, low on fruitiness.

Of the non-single vineyards, my preference is Old Vines > Sonoma County > Dry Creek Valley.

9/4/2016 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine:

So even after 3 hours of decanting, this was still nothing like Mike's winery release note. I found the wine spectator tasting note (rustic tannins) more spot on. This did smooth out & show some aromatic fruit after a couple hours and actually tasted quite nice with a chicken dinner.
We found this structured/firmly tannic with little in the way of aromatics and fruit. My wife, tasting blind, guessed cab blend!
Atypical for a Carlisle zin, although as this is my first Rossi Ranch --perhaps it is characteristic of the vineyard? A good wine, just not what I was in the mood for tonight. This is not a soft easy-drinking velvety zin.
Hold, long decant, and see what we get.

9/7/2015 - rdf58 Likes this wine:

Fairly robust and earthy. Nice juicy acidity with some grippy tannins. Dark fruit in the background. Built to last at least another 5 years. An interesting contrast to the 2012 Carlisle Monte Rosso poured at the same time.