Dark red at core fading to rim. Blackberry and eucalyptus aromas. Smooth fruit, blackberries with bright raspberry accents. Fully resolved tannins, bright acidity, fine balance. Just a hint of heat (16.3% ABV). Finishes long with bramble fruit notes. Perhaps a bit past prime but still quite enjoyable. Becomes brighter, more red-fruited with air. Drink next 2 to 3 years. From vines planted in 1900.
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Bright, vibrant red color. Bright berries on the nose, raspberries. Fruit is a bit muted but still attractive, raspberry, blackberry, hint of eucalyptus. Smooth tannins, nice acidity, good balance. Not quite as structured as other Carlisle Zins. Finishes moderately long, spicy and red fruited. No heat despite the 16.3% ABV. Not a complex wine, but still pleasurable. I'd drink over the next 1 to 2 years.
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I'm drinking a bunch of Carlisle 2010 Zins. 2010 was a challenging year due to weather, so it's interesting to see how it affected each vineyard. I've had some wonderful examples, and recently (the Rossi 100th Anniversary) a poor example. Pagani Ranch was delicious, after a two hour decant. Rich, without being overbearing, leather, chocolate, blackberry and other dark fruit, silky tannins, excellent mouthfeel, long finish. My last bottle: drink up and enjoy!
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Probably one of the highest alc dry wines I've ever had. But there is no perceptible heat so I guess we are supposed to pretend that's ok. It is smooth and complex, with bramble and blackberry and blueberry and spices. Some vanilla and chocolate too though. I love Carlisle and old vines so I wanted to like this more, but I think pagani just goes over the top for me. Not bad, it's good, but not my favorite.
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Let sit our for 1-2 hours with a glass poured off, really openedthis ZIn up. Paired with pan seered beef/pork blend burgers very well. Not a ton of Zin spice, but good heft, nd a great nose. Blueberry and a bit of Bramble held up well with burgers and the tannins are mostly resolved. Drinking window ont his seems right so drink now throught he rest of the upoming winter
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Popped and poured and drank over two days. This is my first bottle but my experience with Carlisle leads me to believe that this wine has softened since release and is in the zone right now. The oak I associate with Carlisle has also integrated. The result is a pillow soft texture with sweet dark fruits, vanilla and zin spice. The wine is smooth and luxurious while retaining the signature Carlisle zin goodness.
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I am not sure I have ever given this high a rating to a zin but dang was this one firing on all cylinders. Lovely berries on the nose and palate. Texture was silky side and the balance was spot on. My only bottle and what a sad thought that is....
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A rustic zin that had the lovely bramble berry scent and spicier, chewy texture. I would have rated a touch higher if the fruit would have been slightly rounder but overall a great style of zin.
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My style! Brilliantly crunchy red fruits, this is so fresh, vibrant and just plain stupendous. Very pleasantly surprised. Another great Carlisle vineyard to the stable!
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There are times (like over a Rosso's pizza) when a Carlisle Pagani satisfies better than the most extravagant DRC could ever dream of. This was one of those times. The wine was singing sweet, beautiful music.
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Rich and ripe but not over done. Classic Zin flavor profiles with some dark plum on the finish. Nice acidity to balance out the fruit and richness. Clearly a top Zin from the 2010 vintage.
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Huge, rich, delicious mixed berry fruit with earth, cassis, and licorice flavors, excellent structure, long finish, just great old vine Zin, might great any better than this for Zin
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Classic new world Zin notes, deep concentration, medium plus acidity and body. This has shockingly high alcohol but it's always kept in check. I wish I hate a case of this but alas only 100 were ever produced...
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At the moment this wine is nearly perfectly balanced, carry a lot of alcohol, without a trace of heat, nice berry fruit, but I wonder how this wine will evolve?
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Consistently one of the best Zin vineyards, great extraction and balance, medium plus acidity and medium body. This is very good right now with no decant. This is quite amazing from the nose and palate, great stuff Mike.
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Smells like raspberry jam with a touch of oak. Lots of red berry fruit without being jammy. Just the right amount of acidity, smooth tannins and oak. Only a bit of heat early on. A terrific, balanced effort despite the listed 16.3% abv. Along with the Fanucchi Wood Road this is one of the best of the 2010 zins.
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The wine looks Inky colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like Black Pepper, and Toast. It tastes like and Toast. The body is Full. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Long.
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Brambly classic zin flavors, it's amazing how high the alcohol is but the bottle is not hot. Great in the mouth and would have scored higher except the finish was a little syrup like and sweet, but should get better with time. It's a baby.
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A nearly perfect zinfandel, ark red cherries, flowers, licorice and spices in the nose, silky texture in the mouth,with elegant, well-integrated tannins and textured finish.
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What? No notes from anyone on this one yet? Let's change that: nose is explosive crushed berries, ripe and opulent, with that signature old vine Zin aroma I can't describe - you have to know it; the palate is an amazing amalgam of rich, ripe, forward, juicy Zinberry/blackberry/boysenberry fruit, and elegant, restrained, brooding, piercing Zin, all mixed together, with striking acidity, beautiful complexities, long, mouthwatering finish. One fantastic Zin. I've been waiting for a long time for Mike to get a chance at making a Zin from this most famous vineyard (one I consider in the absolute top tier of old vine Zineyards), and this does not disappoint. Have had many years experience with both the Ridge version, and the St. Francis version, and somehow Mike has outdone both of those (well, it wasn't hard to exceed what St Francis did, clobbering the poor wine with so much oak).
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2012 ZAP-time to prepare for the 25th ZAP Event. Nose of red cherry, licorice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, big body, almost elegant, fairly fruit forward, tasty, long finish.
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12/9/2022 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark red at core fading to rim. Blackberry and eucalyptus aromas. Smooth fruit, blackberries with bright raspberry accents. Fully resolved tannins, bright acidity, fine balance. Just a hint of heat (16.3% ABV). Finishes long with bramble fruit notes. Perhaps a bit past prime but still quite enjoyable. Becomes brighter, more red-fruited with air. Drink next 2 to 3 years. From vines planted in 1900.
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5/11/2021 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bright, vibrant red color. Bright berries on the nose, raspberries. Fruit is a bit muted but still attractive, raspberry, blackberry, hint of eucalyptus. Smooth tannins, nice acidity, good balance. Not quite as structured as other Carlisle Zins. Finishes moderately long, spicy and red fruited. No heat despite the 16.3% ABV. Not a complex wine, but still pleasurable. I'd drink over the next 1 to 2 years.
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7/10/2020 - rldixon Likes this wine: 93 Points
I'm drinking a bunch of Carlisle 2010 Zins. 2010 was a challenging year due to weather, so it's interesting to see how it affected each vineyard. I've had some wonderful examples, and recently (the Rossi 100th Anniversary) a poor example. Pagani Ranch was delicious, after a two hour decant. Rich, without being overbearing, leather, chocolate, blackberry and other dark fruit, silky tannins, excellent mouthfeel, long finish. My last bottle: drink up and enjoy!
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8/26/2018 - jfkwines wrote: 91 Points
Fruit paired well with a sweeter balsamic pork. Very alive but not going to get better. Drink now
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12/16/2017 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 90 Points
Probably one of the highest alc dry wines I've ever had. But there is no perceptible heat so I guess we are supposed to pretend that's ok. It is smooth and complex, with bramble and blackberry and blueberry and spices. Some vanilla and chocolate too though. I love Carlisle and old vines so I wanted to like this more, but I think pagani just goes over the top for me. Not bad, it's good, but not my favorite.
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11/18/2017 - jfkwines wrote: 91 Points
Let sit our for 1-2 hours with a glass poured off, really openedthis ZIn up. Paired with pan seered beef/pork blend burgers very well. Not a ton of Zin spice, but good heft, nd a great nose. Blueberry and a bit of Bramble held up well with burgers and the tannins are mostly resolved.
Drinking window ont his seems right so drink now throught he rest of the upoming winter
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2/6/2016 - EhrlichDY Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured and drank over two days. This is my first bottle but my experience with Carlisle leads me to believe that this wine has softened since release and is in the zone right now. The oak I associate with Carlisle has also integrated. The result is a pillow soft texture with sweet dark fruits, vanilla and zin spice. The wine is smooth and luxurious while retaining the signature Carlisle zin goodness.
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9/27/2015 - Stumpy wrote: 93 Points
I am not sure I have ever given this high a rating to a zin but dang was this one firing on all cylinders. Lovely berries on the nose and palate. Texture was silky side and the balance was spot on. My only bottle and what a sad thought that is....
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9/24/2015 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just a killer zin right from the beginning even without a decant. So good it must be in its prime. Joan and I both loved it. Wish I had more of these.
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8/15/2015 - Stumpy wrote: 91 Points
A rustic zin that had the lovely bramble berry scent and spicier, chewy texture. I would have rated a touch higher if the fruit would have been slightly rounder but overall a great style of zin.
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5/17/2015 - sawira wrote: 93 Points
My style! Brilliantly crunchy red fruits, this is so fresh, vibrant and just plain stupendous. Very pleasantly surprised. Another great Carlisle vineyard to the stable!
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3/15/2015 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 95 Points
There are times (like over a Rosso's pizza) when a Carlisle Pagani satisfies better than the most extravagant DRC could ever dream of. This was one of those times. The wine was singing sweet, beautiful music.
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3/8/2015 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Rich and ripe but not over done. Classic Zin flavor profiles with some dark plum on the finish. Nice acidity to balance out the fruit and richness. Clearly a top Zin from the 2010 vintage.
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2/2/2015 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice. Deep purple. Decanted 60 minutes and can go longer. Pleasant rich black and blue fruit. Nice finish. Good stuff.
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2/1/2015 - Sennma wrote:
A Zin that show terroir. Drinking this evokes the warm of California with those lovely old vines. Huge hit with others.
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10/31/2014 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Huge, rich, delicious mixed berry fruit with earth, cassis, and licorice flavors, excellent structure, long finish, just great old vine Zin, might great any better than this for Zin
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9/10/2014 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just killer juice. Drinking so well now but should continue to improve over the next 3+years. Wish I had more than one bottle left.
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6/1/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic new world Zin notes, deep concentration, medium plus acidity and body. This has shockingly high alcohol but it's always kept in check. I wish I hate a case of this but alas only 100 were ever produced...
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5/3/2014 - DavidDay Likes this wine: 92 Points
At the moment this wine is nearly perfectly balanced, carry a lot of alcohol, without a trace of heat, nice berry fruit, but I wonder how this wine will evolve?
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4/28/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Even better on day 2, this held up better than I would have thought. Better balance and more refined with the power remaining. Great stuff.
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4/27/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Consistently one of the best Zin vineyards, great extraction and balance, medium plus acidity and medium body. This is very good right now with no decant. This is quite amazing from the nose and palate, great stuff Mike.
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3/24/2014 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smells like raspberry jam with a touch of oak. Lots of red berry fruit without being jammy. Just the right amount of acidity, smooth tannins and oak. Only a bit of heat early on. A terrific, balanced effort despite the listed 16.3% abv. Along with the Fanucchi Wood Road this is one of the best of the 2010 zins.
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10/20/2013 - Geoff Likes this wine: 92 Points
The wine looks Inky colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like Black Pepper, and Toast. It tastes like and Toast. The body is Full. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Long.
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5/12/2013 - silton Likes this wine:
Better on day 2. Deliciously deep and balanced Zinfandel. 91+
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2/26/2013 - haldolugr wrote: 89 Points
Brambly classic zin flavors, it's amazing how high the alcohol is but the bottle is not hot. Great in the mouth and would have scored higher except the finish was a little syrup like and sweet, but should get better with time. It's a baby.
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1/6/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just a wonderful example of what makes Pagani Ranch such an iconic vineyard.
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8/18/2012 - DavidDay wrote: 94 Points
A nearly perfect zinfandel, ark red cherries, flowers, licorice and spices in the nose, silky texture in the mouth,with elegant, well-integrated tannins and textured finish.
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7/18/2012 - alanr wrote: 93 Points
What? No notes from anyone on this one yet? Let's change that: nose is explosive crushed berries, ripe and opulent, with that signature old vine Zin aroma I can't describe - you have to know it; the palate is an amazing amalgam of rich, ripe, forward, juicy Zinberry/blackberry/boysenberry fruit, and elegant, restrained, brooding, piercing Zin, all mixed together, with striking acidity, beautiful complexities, long, mouthwatering finish. One fantastic Zin. I've been waiting for a long time for Mike to get a chance at making a Zin from this most famous vineyard (one I consider in the absolute top tier of old vine Zineyards), and this does not disappoint. Have had many years experience with both the Ridge version, and the St. Francis version, and somehow Mike has outdone both of those (well, it wasn't hard to exceed what St Francis did, clobbering the poor wine with so much oak).
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1/28/2012 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
2012 ZAP-time to prepare for the 25th ZAP Event. Nose of red cherry, licorice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, big body, almost elegant, fairly fruit forward, tasty, long finish.
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