February 28, 2024 - Book Club - Brig's Wines (Foretti's): Most of the people thought this was a syrah and that's a very good guess because it has the complexity, iodine note, spice, the bite and acid of a syrah. Complex wine but challenging to identify as his Zinfandel. That also could be a property of the variety since aged is Zinfandel is a chameleon.
February 28, 2024 - Bookclub (served blind)--Brig (Foretti's in Corona Del Mar): Tasted alongside the 2013 Bedrock Carlisle Zin, which was a fun blind juxtaposition. And damn it, I put both of these wines on syrah, proving again the humility of blind tasting. Why did I sense syrah? When these two wine were poured and we did the side-by-side, I could swear I smelled violets and blood, which to me was indicative of some whole cluster style. In the comparison of the two wines and the intuitive theme Brig assembled, I will write the notes together here for both bottles. I found the Bedrock to be richer, darker, the oak style of dark chocolate and brewed coffee. In contrast, the Carlisle Bedrock was juicier, with a weight imprint that seemed lighter, although the Carlisle did fatten more with air and was closer in weight with the Bedrock in time with some milk chocolate. Both wines exhibited an infused rosemary/garrigue (again, part of my syrah guess for both). The Bedrock seemed to have just a bit more complexity, despite the weight, with dark licorice and charcoal. Overall, I really dug the juxtaposition of these two wines, thank you, Brig.
September 8, 2023 - So...darn...good! Still fresh and vibrant.
June 9, 2023 - Nice wine, but wasn't up to the 2013 Carlisle Carlisle Vineyard tasted alongside. More of a red fruit profile, medium finish. Good, but not great.
December 3, 2022 - Found deep within my cellar. Still drinking well, but i think i prefer these closer to 5 years. A big wine, perhaps best reserved for ribs, steak or lamb.
December 13, 2021 - A spectacular bottle. Met or Exceeded recent TN observations.
November 14, 2021 - Best of two of my favorite California wineries.. just… yum
March 27, 2021 - Opened 30 minutes before pouring...in a great spot and can't imagine getting much better...dark fruit, full mouthfeel, integrated tannins and a smooth finish with good length.
February 14, 2021 - Sweet black fruit, pipe tobacco. Medium acid, low/medium tannin, full bodied glycerin viscosity.
December 15, 2020 - Very pleasant full-bodied zin but not sure this makes the top quartile for Carlisle.