Continuing my dive into my older stash of Carlisle. This wine has grown and grown on me through the years, to the extend that I actually find it on par with most of the SV bottlings nowadays. Such a tremendous value in world class wine! It was thus with a lot of curiosity and excitement to try this old one. Has it stood the test of time? Was it as good back then as I found it in the last five vintages? In short: Yes and yes! It was double decanted 15 minutes prior to serving and I just had a small sip upon opening. At that point it needed ti stretch its back and realize now was the time to wake up and leave the bottle. It fortunately did, and while the nose showed a lovely matured profile of development and still some intact zinberries, the palate was a powerful, fresh and full bodied explosion without much age showing in the notes. The palate however, was such a seemless integration of fully mellowed tannins, balancing but well hidden acidity, full body and almost unctuous texture. This partly was a result of a slight sensation of RS. It turns out that this vintage actually had 3,7 g/L of RS, so just above the detectable threshold. I would probably even have guessed a little higher, but it didn’t detract from my experience and it wasn’t too much. Perhaps it was also due to us having mustard and sugar coated ham for dinner, with which a bit of RS probably just made the wine an even better match. Overall, Just a beautiful, perfectly mature Zinfandel and I find it deserves 92 points, just as I have found almost all recent vintages.
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Still delicious, and likely to maintain and improve this state, if well-stored.
Like practically all Carlisle wines I've had, this has an excellent weight and balance: there is a full body without being heavy, evident fruit without being overwhelming. Tannins that improve food. No evidence of the label's 15.1% ABV.
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Still tasty, after all these years. Subtle vanilla note along with cherry and blueberry leads into a rich but sleek midpalate of ripe bing cherry, blackberry and blueberry, ending in a fairly long finish that echoes the aforementioned. Still offering up much pleasure but drink up sooner than later, even if well stored. Paired with gas broiled buffalo steak and salad of baby green /Italian dressing.
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Slightly sweet note just expands on the wondrous palate; nose was a classic Mike Officer rendering...fulsome/deep. This is a balanced, long-thought-of wine. I daresay it is better than some of his '07 SVDs (I know...heresy).
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Pop and pour. Dark structured wine with layers of dark cherry, black raspberry, pepper and spice. I would have guessed more petite than listed. Good acidity and great finish.
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Popped and poured and followed over an hour with a dinner of 12 hour smoked pulled pork and home made creamy cole slaw with home made BBQ sauce. Gorgeous wine with a lovely nose full of black fruit with lot of depth. Very smooth with black cherry. A tiny bit hot (my wife's comment, I did not notice it). Wine got better with air and may get even better with more age. No apparent oak although Mike Officer ages his Zins in oak barrels. The is some acidity and no flabby sugary jammy negatives. We are in the middle of cataloging our wines and we have already identified 44 Carlisle Zins. Yea!!!
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Very charming freshness and subtle fruit in the initial notes. After some air more distinct Zin notes start to show. The alcohol does not really show until after some time and some air. Really nice balance and overall a vey nice and wll produced wine. Yet another great effort by Mike Officer.
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I'm as big a fan of Carlisle Zins as anyone on planet Earth, but this one is syruppppyyyyyy. Yikes! Super sweet, and I mean SWEET, super extracted, high in alcohol, and lacking in structure - both acid and tannins - leaves this one a big cough syrupy mess. And I thought I was being so clever after my last bottle, thinking it had more years and skeptical of Mike's drinkability window. Wrongo dongo again. This one seems over the hill to me, falling apart from it's ripe fruited, unstructured imbalance. This is the second time I've second guessed his drinking chart and been wrong. The 2002 Dry Creek, one of my all time Carlisle faves, was 19% Petite Sirah in that warm vintage, and the 2007 - another warm vintage - had only 5% Petite Syrah. It shows. Personally, I think it needed the extra structure. Or, duh, I should have drunk it earlier. Live and learn.
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For a 15.1% wine this is one smooth Zin. Nose seems more alc-y than the palate (it might blow off in a bit), which shows the long finish these wines are known for. None of that end-of-swallow bite, either. In a great spot, 5+ years out.
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A nose of bold sweet black cherry and spice, dark garnet in color. A full bodied delicious Zin, with black cherry and smoky pepper flavors, jammy with good acidity, and a long finish. A classic Zinfandel, well worth the price, wish I had more.
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This came up as overdue on my drinkability report, but could have been opened later. Black fruit and pepper, with little heat remaining from the heavy alcohol present. Very enjoyable and sorry this was my last bottle.
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The kind of wine that lets you know you just how good a top quality zin can be. I did not identify this wine as a zin; it felt more like a blend. Really well done. Nice ample fruit but something else present that also gave it weight. Even thought it has 15.1% alcohol, could only taste it a bit and it never dominated. I like Seghesio and Rombauer, but this Carlisle got them beat. Kept wanting to take another sip. It's ready now but for the adventurous, age another 3-5 years.
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A solid Carlisle. I remember past versions, particularly the '05, having a much more distinct DCV rust/red earth/red fruit profile. This was more in the purple spectrum. A nicely balanced wine, maybe reflecting the warmth of the vintage. That Sept in Sonoma was postcard perfect sunshine. Served with some charcuterie and grilled pork loin. Yes, please.
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Went well with grilled tenderloin roast. Opened halfway into the meal when it became evident that two bottles ( Sociando Mallet and a Gunslingers) weren't going to be enough tonight. So popped and poured. Could have used a decant.
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Ripe and lush Dry Creek Zin that's dense and concentrated with brambly raspberry rushing across the palate to start followed by berry jam with black peppercorn. This red is vibrant offering layers of strawberry and black plums. Well framed by sturdy tannic structure, it's mid section is somewhat subdued though driving towards a finish that leaves you hoping for a bit more. The second evening revealed a sour cherry element. Probably was better early on. Drink now
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15.1% alcohol. Showing a touch of overripe fruit on the nose, which suggests this should be drunk up. But this bottle was still smoking apart from that one nit-pick. Delicious spicy black fruit to this wine, with enough acidity and vibrance to make this just a delightful wine. A-
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Wonderful expression of a California Zin by Carlisle, the balance of fruit, alcohol and finish made this a share worthy bottle. If you prefer a continental style wine then probably not a wine you'll enjoy.
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Pour with quick glass/splash decant. The nose was reticent to say much at first but after a several minutes I detected a strong belch of animal merde that I found unexpected. Peeling through that, I found loganberry and dark mulberry with a sheen of smoke. Palate-side, this was plain, simple straight-forward Zinfandel with some red fruit components, a little tang and spice, touch of cream, and a cassis and dried currant play. So the flavor profile is good but typical. Despite a slight taint of requisite alcohol on the finish, this stands apart from the usual crowd with a refinement and polish to its approach and polish respectively. That applies to the whole experience front to long, drawn-out back. Hard to go wrong pairing this to bacon and barbecue burgers. It's as if it the two were at origination conceived in tandem. Don't let the juice grow too hot though; do it a disservice, that.
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A nimble zin that displayed no heat or overripeness. Nice balance, with a lighter texture and higher acidity than most zins that made for a lovely wine. Both red and dark fruit and some layered flavors made for a much more interesting zin than one normally encounters. Really drinking well now with just a very short decant to bring up from cellar temp.
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Big, brawny, red-fruited Zin nose, though a bit alcoholy and syrupy for me to start with. Superb palate follows that however - lively loganberry, mulberry juiciness. Yes another brilliant Mike Officer wine. This is at a great place - defining and mouthwatering acidity, wonderful complexity, some lurking buried tannins and quite good length. More of a bright red fruit profile, with balance, sweetness, depth and grip. Creamy, and light on the bramble. Another winner. I'd say this is at a perfect peak now, and for another 4 years.
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I'm not a Zinfindel fan, but this wine doesn't seem typical of the few I've had in the past. Great fruit, but is a balanced wine that makes it good and and refereshing. This bottle disappeared fast.
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Get a lot of red fruits on the nose with a hint of smoke. The wine had flavors of black raspberry, licorice, plum and a touch of spice. Very well-balanced and a pleasing finish.
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I'm not the world's biggest zin fan but this wine is very well done. More red-fruited than the other Carlisles I've had (mostly syrahs and Two Acres), this bottling seems to have shed some baby fat and shows as a pretty, balanced zin with mild spiciness. More classic and traditional in feel than I might have expected this early from this wine - I was prepared for it to be darker and more dense. I'm glad that this is as balanced as it is already - a pleasant surprise. 91-92
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My note from last May did not include and comment about heat but this bottle has a bit--mainly showing in the aromatic. This detracts from what is otherwise a nice, full bodied zin with good depth, nice flavors of spicy zin fruit, black raspberry. I think the wine drinks fine now but some licorice in the finish gives it a nice charge.
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Opened at restaurant on NYE decanted. Began drinking it about 45 min. later. Dark red in glass, fragrant dark fruit nose. Lucious fruit tastes mostly black cherries, raspberry and even some cocoa it seemed. It all worked incredibly well. Spicy, though not really peppery and paired well with the smoked double pork chop. Really a superstar Zin. Wish I had a few more, but delighted I have other Carlisles in the cellar.
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Decanted for 30 minutes...this wine is really beginning to hit its stride. A nose of baked raspberry and red fruits leads to a true representation of the Dry Creek Valley: ever-present boysenberries. raspberries, and plums mixed with sweet but substantial spice. Delicious.
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Spicy nose on opening. An immediate 'oh my', this is good, as soon as I had the first taste. Nice color. This is a full-bodied zin, with tastes of cherries and fruit. It wasn't over the top. I didn't think this had a long finish, as others have posted. At the 2 hour mark, I was able to taste some chocolate. This is when 'heat' appeared. On the second night, the wine was a bit fuller. The heat was still present. Dinner with Janet and Lew at my house.
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Double decanted and paired with Paula Dean's BBQ meatloaf. Didn't really take any notes, but there was initially some heat that blew off as the wine warmed up. Then it was the typically wonderful balance I've come to expect from Mike Officer.
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Highly addictive, lush, and full of red fruit. The spice is DRAMATIC and inviting. Wonderfully elegant and HIGHLY addictive. Shows it can age well and be food friendly. We contained fruit with great depth
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The back label indicates that it is predominately from vines planted in 1885 (vineyard dectectives like me can arrive at their own conclusions as to source). Dark ruby red. Expressive wild cherry nose. Rasberries and black cherries dominate a rich, pure palate impression. Typical Carlisle balance and a nice acidic backbone. Lush and lively! Delicious!
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Pleasing nose of wild red berry, blackberry liqueur, chocolate, mahogany and a floral edge. On the palate, dense black fruits are beautifully balanced by perfumed red berry and orange peel. Fresh, gravelly, persistent finish of briary, spicy berry. Has integrated nicely in the last year.
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15.1% ABV. Medium garnet translucent in the glass. Aromatic cool spices that speak of something mineral or earth. Coming back to the nose later I thought the aroma I was trying to identify was tea leaves with some jasmine and maple variously making appearances. Great nose. Medium full bodied with ripe red berry fruit and some additional flinty earth on the palate. Somewhat sappy. Very tasty and satisfying.
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I'll line up with those that said this wine is ready to go--it is. It needed some aeration, as the bouquet was closed down initially but once the wine aired out some, it opened up. Lots of fresh berry and black raspberry, some maple (I honorably steal this note from Yoni!) and just an open fresh zin. I'd offer that the wine is not overly complex or grounded like the Carlisle Vineyard often shows so don't hold any reservation about aging this wine and waiting. We drank it with chicken sausages and a nice yellow mustard--paired perfectly. Drink now through 2011.
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Drink up. This is one of the finest Carlisle Zins I have had, and I have had a LOT. Maybe it will get better with age, but why risk it? It's so good now, at least crack one bottle and see what you think. My last bottle is in jeopardy...
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Nose: Really pretty nose - roasted coffee, hazelnuts, caramel, violets, raspberry and blackberry jam. Palate: Just awesome acidity on the attack. Gives this wine real bright and crisp mouthfeel, which is backed by ample, sweet and perfumed fruit. Excellent tannic texture on the mid-palate and a nicely fruited finish. Open for business and just delicious.
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Awesome. I could write anything else, but that first word seems to sum this up nicely. I've liked Carlisle for a while, but this was just fantastic. Paired very well with Flannery NY steaks. Dark fruit and Maple (syrup?) on the nose. Jammy wine, but nowhere near over the top. Flavors kept coming in waves, licorice, black fruit, etc, with great spice on the back end of a really nice, long finish. No hard edges at all. Ready to drink right away. You can drink this now or hold for a while. Easy drinking and just fantastic stuff all around.
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15.1% alcohol. Greedy to have drunk up three bottles of this, I know. But it's just so darn good young. Definitely hedonistic, with a jammy, spicy nose of black Zinfandel fruit. In the mouth, powerful and pleasurable. Loads of fruit with a terrific lushness to the palate presence. Terrific stuff. A-
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Big, broad and thick. On the hedonistic side of things to be sure but good for the style. Solid value but not really for those who want something with any subtlety.
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Time will tell if this turns out to be our favorite vintage of this wine...while excellent now, feel a bit more time resting quietly in the cellar is warranted.
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This is a young wine with an amazing bouquet and lots of potential. On night one it definitely needed more air time; the alcohol was a bit overpowering and out of balance (15.1%). It all came together on night two; beautiful balance, depth, structure and power. I'd rate night one an 89 and night two a 92+.
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Really solid zin that has a nice lift of acidity, but does get a liitle ripe and pruney as it warms. Still has layers and complexity that few others do, and that is what sets this apart from most other zins. I am not a big zin fan these days, but I do enjoy what Carlisle is putting out and don't hesitate to pull one when I have a beautiful Ribeye or NY Strip screaming for a big CA red.
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Solid Zinfandel, especially given the vintage. Plenty of Zin character, with brambly fruit, dark color, big nose. A bit one-dimensional, and missing some fruit that would be there in riper vintages. (PE: 89)
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popped and poured with cooking/dinner. bright, explossive nose with a little bit of spice. first sip was out of balance... i let it sit in the glass for 45 minutes, and it got much better. fruit profile more in the red/blue than black. good acidity. IMHO, this needs to be decanted for at least an hour, or just wait another 9-12 months before revisiting
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15.1% alcohol. Opened two hours before serving but not decanted. Spicy and briary nose, with lots of black fruit. Lush on the palate. Eminently drinkable right now. Loaded with slightly jammy fruit. Lots of spice. A-
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Wonderful sweet, fruitful nose filled the room after pouring into decanter. Decanted 1 hour. While not as fruity as some zins, still complex as a "darker" fruit. Excellent mouth and long lasting, pleasant finish! Time to restock with a few more.
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I thought it was a bit raisiny. The fruit wasn't pure but for some reason I could not stop drinking it so I must of liked it. We won't be opening another one of these for a while
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Beautifully balanced, medium-weight zinfandel that conceals its alcohol with nice focus and hints of surprises that add significant complexity in two or three years.
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Wow this was good. Sweet blue fruits on the nose with some vanilla and spice. On the palate it had more of a red fruit profile that became darker and richer on the spicy finish. Impressive purity, perfect acidity and amazingly well integrated given its young age. I can't wait to try this in a few years.
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The '07 is jammy-tasting, bursting with ripe black cherry, raspberry, vanilla and sweet and spicy flavors. Finishing long with a sweet port reduction like flavor. - JD92
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15.1% alcohol. Decanted two hours before serving. Big, briary, jammy nose of pure Carlisle Zinfandel. This has such compelling fruit and spice aromatics. But it's even more decadent in the mouth, with gobs of fruit, excellent purity, nice balancing acidity, and a gorgeously long finish. Drinking well and not as wound up as I thought it would be. A-
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Another good showing here. Concentrated flavors of wild boysenberry, creamy blackberry and briary herb. Long and satisfying finish with some gritty tannin. Superb.
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Large framed classic Carlisle Zin. Big and tasty. Lots of flavor, extract and intensity. Vanilla bean meets grapesickle meets brawny, briary, crushed dark berry fruit. Good length. Beginning to get civilized, probably better in 1 year, then a steady 5 year decline. Good juice!
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Good on its own, but outclassed by the 2007 A. Rafanelli at this stage. Would like to see this again in a few years when the fruit fades a bit and the oak hopefully integrates.
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This was an excellent choice as an all-american wine for the 4th of July cookout. Lost a glass to Ryan's overly exuberant golfing in the yard but I thoroughly enjoyed this. My only beef was it was hinting at turning pruney which I do not like in a zin but it never quite got there. It blew away the Ramey Larkmead cab I opened to make up for that lost glass.
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Great zinberry fruit, some spice, touch of lushness that's well balanced by acidity and some nice complexity. Packed with flavor and interest. Perfect match for bbq ribs on the 4th.
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Wonderful sweet, fruitful nose filled the room after pouring into decanter. Decanted 1 hour. While not as fruity as some zins, still complex as a "darker" fruit. Excellent mouth and long lasting, pleasant finish!
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Very sexy nose of butter popcorn, crushed dark berry, lots of mocha, lifted, bright zinberry, a little violets and forest litter. Fat, full and focused on the palate. A bright, spicy berry, prickly talc finish. Great purity and hedonistic fun. The oak integrated over a couple of hours and the floral elements stepped forward. Best in 1-2 years.
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4/18/2020 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Continuing my dive into my older stash of Carlisle. This wine has grown and grown on me through the years, to the extend that I actually find it on par with most of the SV bottlings nowadays. Such a tremendous value in world class wine! It was thus with a lot of curiosity and excitement to try this old one. Has it stood the test of time? Was it as good back then as I found it in the last five vintages?
In short: Yes and yes! It was double decanted 15 minutes prior to serving and I just had a small sip upon opening. At that point it needed ti stretch its back and realize now was the time to wake up and leave the bottle. It fortunately did, and while the nose showed a lovely matured profile of development and still some intact zinberries, the palate was a powerful, fresh and full bodied explosion without much age showing in the notes. The palate however, was such a seemless integration of fully mellowed tannins, balancing but well hidden acidity, full body and almost unctuous texture. This partly was a result of a slight sensation of RS. It turns out that this vintage actually had 3,7 g/L of RS, so just above the detectable threshold. I would probably even have guessed a little higher, but it didn’t detract from my experience and it wasn’t too much. Perhaps it was also due to us having mustard and sugar coated ham for dinner, with which a bit of RS probably just made the wine an even better match. Overall, Just a beautiful, perfectly mature Zinfandel and I find it deserves 92 points, just as I have found almost all recent vintages.
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4/6/2019 - rldixon wrote: 93 Points
Still delicious, and likely to maintain and improve this state, if well-stored.
Like practically all Carlisle wines I've had, this has an excellent weight and balance: there is a full body without being heavy, evident fruit without being overwhelming. Tannins that improve food. No evidence of the label's 15.1% ABV.
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2/26/2018 - MoreWinePlease Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still tasty, after all these years. Subtle vanilla note along with cherry and blueberry leads into a rich but sleek midpalate of ripe bing cherry, blackberry and blueberry, ending in a fairly long finish that echoes the aforementioned. Still offering up much pleasure but drink up sooner than later, even if well stored. Paired with gas broiled buffalo steak and salad of baby green /Italian dressing.
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2/21/2016 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Raspberry and red berry fruit. Subtle and elegant, with spice and red fruit notes on the palate. Very good.
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5/8/2015 - stufis wrote: 91 Points
Slightly sweet note just expands on the wondrous palate; nose was a classic Mike Officer rendering...fulsome/deep. This is a balanced, long-thought-of wine. I daresay it is better than some of his '07 SVDs (I know...heresy).
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6/29/2014 - Jettoy1992 wrote: 92 Points
Excellent. At least a year left
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5/16/2014 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
JAMMY FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACK CHERRIES, RASPBERRIES, AND CHERRIES. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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5/3/2014 - PSUSteve Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pop and pour. Dark structured wine with layers of dark cherry, black raspberry, pepper and spice. I would have guessed more petite than listed. Good acidity and great finish.
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2/2/2014 - Trish22 wrote: 91 Points
Cherry, flowery, vanilla and a bit of alcohol on nose. Raisin, berries, chocolate, molasses on palate. Has not peaked.
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10/27/2013 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
As complex as either of the two 2002 high-end cabernets tasted tonight. Great time to drink this one.
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9/15/2013 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
Pretty stunning for a "regular" bottling. Great juicy acidity and drive with tons o' fruit. A joyous wine for a joyous reunion.
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8/12/2013 - Rollerball wrote: 90 Points
This has not yet achieved the complexity I've been hoping for. It hasn't fallen off the path either. Outstanding still, but will it improve?
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7/20/2013 - J @ y H @ c k Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured and followed over an hour with a dinner of 12 hour smoked pulled pork and home made creamy cole slaw with home made BBQ sauce. Gorgeous wine with a lovely nose full of black fruit with lot of depth. Very smooth with black cherry. A tiny bit hot (my wife's comment, I did not notice it). Wine got better with air and may get even better with more age. No apparent oak although Mike Officer ages his Zins in oak barrels. The is some acidity and no flabby sugary jammy negatives. We are in the middle of cataloging our wines and we have already identified 44 Carlisle Zins. Yea!!!
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6/21/2013 - KristianT Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very charming freshness and subtle fruit in the initial notes. After some air more distinct Zin notes start to show. The alcohol does not really show until after some time and some air. Really nice balance and overall a vey nice and wll produced wine. Yet another great effort by Mike Officer.
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4/9/2013 - sawira wrote: 91 Points
I'm as big a fan of Carlisle Zins as anyone on planet Earth, but this one is syruppppyyyyyy. Yikes! Super sweet, and I mean SWEET, super extracted, high in alcohol, and lacking in structure - both acid and tannins - leaves this one a big cough syrupy mess. And I thought I was being so clever after my last bottle, thinking it had more years and skeptical of Mike's drinkability window. Wrongo dongo again. This one seems over the hill to me, falling apart from it's ripe fruited, unstructured imbalance. This is the second time I've second guessed his drinking chart and been wrong. The 2002 Dry Creek, one of my all time Carlisle faves, was 19% Petite Sirah in that warm vintage, and the 2007 - another warm vintage - had only 5% Petite Syrah. It shows. Personally, I think it needed the extra structure. Or, duh, I should have drunk it earlier. Live and learn.
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2/20/2013 - stufis wrote: 92 Points
For a 15.1% wine this is one smooth Zin. Nose seems more alc-y than the palate (it might blow off in a bit), which shows the long finish these wines are known for. None of that end-of-swallow bite, either. In a great spot, 5+ years out.
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2/15/2013 - corkscrews Likes this wine: 93 Points
A nose of bold sweet black cherry and spice, dark garnet in color. A full bodied delicious Zin, with black cherry and smoky pepper flavors, jammy with good acidity, and a long finish. A classic Zinfandel, well worth the price, wish I had more.
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1/10/2013 - TheWineDon wrote: 93 Points
This came up as overdue on my drinkability report, but could have been opened later. Black fruit and pepper, with little heat remaining from the heavy alcohol present. Very enjoyable and sorry this was my last bottle.
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11/5/2012 - pmarlo wrote: 94 Points
The kind of wine that lets you know you just how good a top quality zin can be. I did not identify this wine as a zin; it felt more like a blend. Really well done. Nice ample fruit but something else present that also gave it weight. Even thought it has 15.1% alcohol, could only taste it a bit and it never dominated. I like Seghesio and Rombauer, but this Carlisle got them beat. Kept wanting to take another sip. It's ready now but for the adventurous, age another 3-5 years.
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9/11/2012 - JBD wrote: 91 Points
Really fine - as always.
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9/3/2012 - btock wrote: 90 Points
A solid Carlisle. I remember past versions, particularly the '05, having a much more distinct DCV rust/red earth/red fruit profile. This was more in the purple spectrum. A nicely balanced wine, maybe reflecting the warmth of the vintage. That Sept in Sonoma was postcard perfect sunshine. Served with some charcuterie and grilled pork loin. Yes, please.
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8/13/2012 - Wine Poor wrote: 90 Points
got better the second day
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4/15/2012 - Wine Poor wrote: 92 Points
Went well with grilled tenderloin roast. Opened halfway into the meal when it became evident that two bottles ( Sociando Mallet and a Gunslingers) weren't going to be enough tonight. So popped and poured. Could have used a decant.
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4/7/2012 - wine maestro wrote: 90 Points
Ripe and lush Dry Creek Zin that's dense and concentrated with brambly raspberry rushing
across the palate to start followed by berry jam with black peppercorn. This red is vibrant
offering layers of strawberry and black plums. Well framed by sturdy tannic structure, it's
mid section is somewhat subdued though driving towards a finish that leaves you hoping
for a bit more. The second evening revealed a sour cherry element. Probably was better
early on. Drink now
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1/24/2012 - wdb001 wrote: 92 Points
Yummy.
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11/21/2011 - BrianMc wrote: 93 Points
Great fruit wiTh wonderful balance.
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11/9/2011 - gutt22 wrote:
15.1% alcohol. Showing a touch of overripe fruit on the nose, which suggests this should be drunk up. But this bottle was still smoking apart from that one nit-pick. Delicious spicy black fruit to this wine, with enough acidity and vibrance to make this just a delightful wine. A-
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10/16/2011 - cubswinws wrote: 91 Points
Seemed a bit closed. Still lots of fruit but not as expressive as before. Would hold off a year or two and try again.
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8/13/2011 - awise45 wrote: 92 Points
Rich and dark fruit dominates but seemed to lack a little of the freshness and pop last bottles had -- maybe closing up a little? Still really nice.
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7/22/2011 - BrianMc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful expression of a California Zin by Carlisle, the balance of fruit, alcohol and finish made this a share worthy bottle. If you prefer a continental style wine then probably not a wine you'll enjoy.
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7/20/2011 - z_willus_d wrote: 90 Points
Pour with quick glass/splash decant. The nose was reticent to say much at first but after a several minutes I detected a strong belch of animal merde that I found unexpected. Peeling through that, I found loganberry and dark mulberry with a sheen of smoke. Palate-side, this was plain, simple straight-forward Zinfandel with some red fruit components, a little tang and spice, touch of cream, and a cassis and dried currant play. So the flavor profile is good but typical. Despite a slight taint of requisite alcohol on the finish, this stands apart from the usual crowd with a refinement and polish to its approach and polish respectively. That applies to the whole experience front to long, drawn-out back. Hard to go wrong pairing this to bacon and barbecue burgers. It's as if it the two were at origination conceived in tandem. Don't let the juice grow too hot though; do it a disservice, that.
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7/17/2011 - vinole wrote: 92 Points
A nimble zin that displayed no heat or overripeness. Nice balance, with a lighter texture and higher acidity than most zins that made for a lovely wine. Both red and dark fruit and some layered flavors made for a much more interesting zin than one normally encounters. Really drinking well now with just a very short decant to bring up from cellar temp.
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7/14/2011 - gregg g wrote:
This was undrinkable for me on 7/14. One glass down, corked and refriged. Tonight (7/17) it actually tastes like Zinfandel.
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7/7/2011 - sawira wrote: 95 Points
Big, brawny, red-fruited Zin nose, though a bit alcoholy and syrupy for me to start with. Superb palate follows that however - lively loganberry, mulberry juiciness. Yes another brilliant Mike Officer wine. This is at a great place - defining and mouthwatering acidity, wonderful complexity, some lurking buried tannins and quite good length. More of a bright red fruit profile, with balance, sweetness, depth and grip. Creamy, and light on the bramble. Another winner. I'd say this is at a perfect peak now, and for another 4 years.
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5/23/2011 - yui wrote: 91 Points
still great no WOW factor like the one I had b4
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5/23/2011 - JOEABR wrote: 92 Points
I'm not a Zinfindel fan, but this wine doesn't seem typical of the few I've had in the past. Great fruit, but is a balanced wine that makes it good and and refereshing. This bottle disappeared fast.
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5/8/2011 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Get a lot of red fruits on the nose with a hint of smoke. The wine had flavors of black raspberry, licorice, plum and a touch of spice. Very well-balanced and a pleasing finish.
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5/8/2011 - awise45 wrote: 92 Points
Great -- very rich and full. Lots of dark fruit and deep berry flavors.
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4/22/2011 - amateurwino wrote: 91 Points
I'm not the world's biggest zin fan but this wine is very well done. More red-fruited than the other Carlisles I've had (mostly syrahs and Two Acres), this bottling seems to have shed some baby fat and shows as a pretty, balanced zin with mild spiciness. More classic and traditional in feel than I might have expected this early from this wine - I was prepared for it to be darker and more dense. I'm glad that this is as balanced as it is already - a pleasant surprise. 91-92
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4/8/2011 - awise45 wrote: 93 Points
Full, long, and rich, with vanilla and lots of cherry. Wonderful, even as a pop and pour.
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1/30/2011 - Frank Murray III wrote:
My note from last May did not include and comment about heat but this bottle has a bit--mainly showing in the aromatic. This detracts from what is otherwise a nice, full bodied zin with good depth, nice flavors of spicy zin fruit, black raspberry. I think the wine drinks fine now but some licorice in the finish gives it a nice charge.
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12/31/2010 - clovercap wrote: 95 Points
Opened at restaurant on NYE decanted. Began drinking it about 45 min. later. Dark red in glass, fragrant dark fruit nose. Lucious fruit tastes mostly black cherries, raspberry and even some cocoa it seemed. It all worked incredibly well. Spicy, though not really peppery and paired well with the smoked double pork chop. Really a superstar Zin. Wish I had a few more, but delighted I have other Carlisles in the cellar.
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11/25/2010 - GoldenTbne wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes...this wine is really beginning to hit its stride. A nose of baked raspberry and red fruits leads to a true representation of the Dry Creek Valley: ever-present boysenberries. raspberries, and plums mixed with sweet but substantial spice. Delicious.
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11/6/2010 - Love4Vino wrote:
wonderful showing. lots of brambly blackberries with no hint of the 15.1 abv
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10/17/2010 - dhammer53 wrote: 91 Points
Spicy nose on opening. An immediate 'oh my', this is good, as soon as I had the first taste. Nice color. This is a full-bodied zin, with tastes of cherries and fruit. It wasn't over the top. I didn't think this had a long finish, as others have posted. At the 2 hour mark, I was able to taste some chocolate. This is when 'heat' appeared. On the second night, the wine was a bit fuller. The heat was still present. Dinner with Janet and Lew at my house.
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10/16/2010 - mebydef wrote: 91 Points
Very good, big and brambly but very good.
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9/19/2010 - mdaniel wrote: 91 Points
Double decanted and paired with Paula Dean's BBQ meatloaf. Didn't really take any notes, but there was initially some heat that blew off as the wine warmed up. Then it was the typically wonderful balance I've come to expect from Mike Officer.
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8/28/2010 - JonnyB wrote: 91 Points
drank over two days, deep dark blackberry fruit, I get the bit of minerality as well, the finish keeps on going and going.
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8/20/2010 - Kingvino wrote: 94 Points
Highly addictive, lush, and full of red fruit. The spice is DRAMATIC and inviting. Wonderfully elegant and HIGHLY addictive. Shows it can age well and be food friendly. We contained fruit with great depth
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8/14/2010 - ljl203 wrote: 89 Points
Deep berry bomb with some tar. Slight heat, sassafras and mint. Dense earth. Am looking for more complexity though. Needs to be paired with meats.
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8/14/2010 - Outplaying wrote:
Very nice zin. Surprisingly soft and plush. An early drinker.
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8/3/2010 - sstoloff wrote: 92 Points
Terrific wine, recognizably Dry Creek: a bit of prune, rum, blackberry. Fruity but not overbearing palate, lingering finish. Love this, at it's peak.
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7/16/2010 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
The back label indicates that it is predominately from vines planted in 1885 (vineyard dectectives like me can arrive at their own conclusions as to source). Dark ruby red. Expressive wild cherry nose. Rasberries and black cherries dominate a rich, pure palate impression. Typical Carlisle balance and a nice acidic backbone. Lush and lively! Delicious!
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7/3/2010 - ginfizz wrote: 92 Points
Bravo Mike. These are delicious! Same notes as others.
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6/29/2010 - pgordon62 wrote: 92 Points
Pleasing nose of wild red berry, blackberry liqueur, chocolate, mahogany and a floral edge. On the palate, dense black fruits are beautifully balanced by perfumed red berry and orange peel. Fresh, gravelly, persistent finish of briary, spicy berry. Has integrated nicely in the last year.
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6/13/2010 - winemooch wrote:
Awesome..reminds me of sunet barbera
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5/17/2010 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 92 Points
15.1% ABV. Medium garnet translucent in the glass. Aromatic cool spices that speak of something mineral or earth. Coming back to the nose later I thought the aroma I was trying to identify was tea leaves with some jasmine and maple variously making appearances. Great nose. Medium full bodied with ripe red berry fruit and some additional flinty earth on the palate. Somewhat sappy. Very tasty and satisfying.
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5/16/2010 - Frank Murray III wrote:
I'll line up with those that said this wine is ready to go--it is. It needed some aeration, as the bouquet was closed down initially but once the wine aired out some, it opened up. Lots of fresh berry and black raspberry, some maple (I honorably steal this note from Yoni!) and just an open fresh zin. I'd offer that the wine is not overly complex or grounded like the Carlisle Vineyard often shows so don't hold any reservation about aging this wine and waiting. We drank it with chicken sausages and a nice yellow mustard--paired perfectly. Drink now through 2011.
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5/15/2010 - smokie wrote: 95 Points
Drink up. This is one of the finest Carlisle Zins I have had, and I have had a LOT. Maybe it will get better with age, but why risk it? It's so good now, at least crack one bottle and see what you think. My last bottle is in jeopardy...
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5/2/2010 - vinole Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with previous note.
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4/28/2010 - gunpwdr wrote: 93 Points
Nose: Really pretty nose - roasted coffee, hazelnuts, caramel, violets, raspberry and blackberry jam. Palate: Just awesome acidity on the attack. Gives this wine real bright and crisp mouthfeel, which is backed by ample, sweet and perfumed fruit. Excellent tannic texture on the mid-palate and a nicely fruited finish. Open for business and just delicious.
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4/25/2010 - jbposell wrote: 93 Points
Wow, great young Carlisle, perfect BBQ ribs counter, the other bottles are going DOWN!
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4/21/2010 - smokie wrote: 94 Points
One of the finest zins I have had in quite some time. I may not let the rest sit as I don't need them to get any better!
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2/23/2010 - yonster24 wrote:
Awesome. I could write anything else, but that first word seems to sum this up nicely. I've liked Carlisle for a while, but this was just fantastic. Paired very well with Flannery NY steaks. Dark fruit and Maple (syrup?) on the nose. Jammy wine, but nowhere near over the top. Flavors kept coming in waves, licorice, black fruit, etc, with great spice on the back end of a really nice, long finish. No hard edges at all. Ready to drink right away. You can drink this now or hold for a while. Easy drinking and just fantastic stuff all around.
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2/13/2010 - ljl203 wrote: 88 Points
Dense red purple color. Jammy and sweet, not getting much more than this on day 2.
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2/9/2010 - Cheryl wrote:
February 2010 Tasting - Zinfandel (NYC Tasting Group - John's Home): Big sweet fruit. A significant bit of alcohol as well. This might be lovely with time.
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1/30/2010 - gutt22 wrote:
15.1% alcohol. Greedy to have drunk up three bottles of this, I know. But it's just so darn good young. Definitely hedonistic, with a jammy, spicy nose of black Zinfandel fruit. In the mouth, powerful and pleasurable. Loads of fruit with a terrific lushness to the palate presence. Terrific stuff. A-
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1/22/2010 - WetRock wrote:
Big, broad and thick. On the hedonistic side of things to be sure but good for the style. Solid value but not really for those who want something with any subtlety.
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12/25/2009 - E wrote: 91 Points
Time will tell if this turns out to be our favorite vintage of this wine...while excellent now, feel a bit more time resting quietly in the cellar is warranted.
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12/25/2009 - awise45 wrote: 92 Points
Very nice -- easily accessible. More subtle than some California zins, not overpowering.
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12/20/2009 - jcbrand wrote: 92 Points
This is a young wine with an amazing bouquet and lots of potential. On night one it definitely needed more air time; the alcohol was a bit overpowering and out of balance (15.1%). It all came together on night two; beautiful balance, depth, structure and power. I'd rate night one an 89 and night two a 92+.
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12/13/2009 - vinole wrote: 92 Points
Really solid zin that has a nice lift of acidity, but does get a liitle ripe and pruney as it warms. Still has layers and complexity that few others do, and that is what sets this apart from most other zins. I am not a big zin fan these days, but I do enjoy what Carlisle is putting out and don't hesitate to pull one when I have a beautiful Ribeye or NY Strip screaming for a big CA red.
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12/7/2009 - MarkC wrote: 89 Points
Solid Zinfandel, especially given the vintage. Plenty of Zin character, with brambly fruit, dark color, big nose. A bit one-dimensional, and missing some fruit that would be there in riper vintages. (PE: 89)
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11/13/2009 - LikeABC wrote: 90 Points
popped and poured with cooking/dinner. bright, explossive nose with a little bit of spice. first sip was out of balance... i let it sit in the glass for 45 minutes, and it got much better. fruit profile more in the red/blue than black. good acidity. IMHO, this needs to be decanted for at least an hour, or just wait another 9-12 months before revisiting
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10/30/2009 - gutt22 wrote:
15.1% alcohol. Opened two hours before serving but not decanted. Spicy and briary nose, with lots of black fruit. Lush on the palate. Eminently drinkable right now. Loaded with slightly jammy fruit. Lots of spice. A-
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10/25/2009 - WineBovine wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful sweet, fruitful nose filled the room after pouring into decanter.
Decanted 1 hour. While not as fruity as some zins, still complex as a "darker" fruit.
Excellent mouth and long lasting, pleasant finish!
Time to restock with a few more.
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10/18/2009 - texaswinelover wrote:
Amazingly balanced wine. Just enough briary notes, jammy lushness to hide the alcohol. Young but delicious.
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10/16/2009 - WinstonWolfe wrote: 91 Points
I thought it was a bit raisiny. The fruit wasn't pure but for some reason I could not stop drinking it so I must of liked it. We won't be opening another one of these for a while
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10/11/2009 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
Beautifully balanced, medium-weight zinfandel that conceals its alcohol with nice focus and hints of surprises that add significant complexity in two or three years.
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10/9/2009 - meatman wrote: 93 Points
Wow this was good. Sweet blue fruits on the nose with some vanilla and spice. On the palate it had more of a red fruit profile that became darker and richer on the spicy finish. Impressive purity, perfect acidity and amazingly well integrated given its young age. I can't wait to try this in a few years.
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9/8/2009 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 92 Points
The '07 is jammy-tasting, bursting with ripe black cherry, raspberry, vanilla and sweet and spicy flavors. Finishing long with a sweet port reduction like flavor. - JD92
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8/25/2009 - gutt22 wrote:
15.1% alcohol. Decanted two hours before serving. Big, briary, jammy nose of pure Carlisle Zinfandel. This has such compelling fruit and spice aromatics. But it's even more decadent in the mouth, with gobs of fruit, excellent purity, nice balancing acidity, and a gorgeously long finish. Drinking well and not as wound up as I thought it would be. A-
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8/16/2009 - 6831 wrote: 92 Points
Another good showing here. Concentrated flavors of wild boysenberry, creamy blackberry and briary herb. Long and satisfying finish with some gritty tannin. Superb.
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8/6/2009 - Lanny21 wrote: 92 Points
Excellent juicy flavor with quite a bit of nutmeg spice. Really good.
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7/31/2009 - ginfizz wrote: 92 Points
Big, delicious, and young, but drinking very well.
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7/23/2009 - sawira wrote: 93 Points
Large framed classic Carlisle Zin. Big and tasty. Lots of flavor, extract and intensity. Vanilla bean meets grapesickle meets brawny, briary, crushed dark berry fruit. Good length. Beginning to get civilized, probably better in 1 year, then a steady 5 year decline. Good juice!
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7/12/2009 - AZVinoVeritas wrote:
Good on its own, but outclassed by the 2007 A. Rafanelli at this stage. Would like to see this again in a few years when the fruit fades a bit and the oak hopefully integrates.
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7/6/2009 - Patsdynasty wrote: 93 Points
This was an excellent choice as an all-american wine for the 4th of July cookout. Lost a glass to Ryan's overly exuberant golfing in the yard but I thoroughly enjoyed this. My only beef was it was hinting at turning pruney which I do not like in a zin but it never quite got there. It blew away the Ramey Larkmead cab I opened to make up for that lost glass.
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7/4/2009 - alanr wrote: 92 Points
Great zinberry fruit, some spice, touch of lushness that's well balanced by acidity and some nice complexity. Packed with flavor and interest. Perfect match for bbq ribs on the 4th.
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5/26/2009 - 6831 wrote: 92 Points
Delicious briary red fruit flavors that are deep and complex. Long balanced finish. Wish I'd bought more before it sold out.
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5/25/2009 - WineBovine wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful sweet, fruitful nose filled the room after pouring into decanter.
Decanted 1 hour. While not as fruity as some zins, still complex as a "darker" fruit.
Excellent mouth and long lasting, pleasant finish!
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5/18/2009 - yui wrote: 94 Points
Wow, buset zin I've ever had, need to get more of this. Balanced, well integrated, smooth.
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5/5/2009 - pgordon62 wrote: 92 Points
Very sexy nose of butter popcorn, crushed dark berry, lots of mocha, lifted, bright zinberry, a little violets and forest litter. Fat, full and focused on the palate. A bright, spicy berry, prickly talc finish. Great purity and hedonistic fun. The oak integrated over a couple of hours and the floral elements stepped forward. Best in 1-2 years.
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3/17/2009 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Family Wine Makers: Blck berry cough syrup, earth, swt rich hot brt big zin, big full mth, mixed berries, mineral element in there! vines from 1885.
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3/15/2009 - Badfish wrote: 93 Points
2009 Family Winemakers of California San Diego Tasting (Del Mar Fairgrounds): Nice bramble to the cherry, berry, and floral notes on the nose. This offers a veritable plethora of fruit flavors such as currant, cherry, and blackberry. The purity of fruit in this succulent wine is simply stunning.
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