Zinfandel

This is more of a claret styled Zin and not a monster fruit bomb.  This style tends to age nicely and at age 5, this one was drinking beautifully.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight bramble and a bit of black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Velvety texture.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries with a slight milk chocolate note.  Delicious.  Good finish.  This should drink well for another five to eight years.  It drinks well on its own and will work very well with hearty foods such a lamb stew or even vegetarian chili.  

From Mike Officer's home vineyard, another in the Carlisle collection of excellent Zinfandels.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, raspberries, slight leather and citrus.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is young but delicious.  Black raspberries, black cherries, and spice.  Some minty on the finish.  This should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this will work well with a burger or ribs off the grill.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, bramble and black pepper. Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity. On the palate, this is upfront with good black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Good finish.  Tasty.  Drinking well now and should for another five to eight years.  A nice wine with pizza.  

Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice and slight bramble.  Light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has cherries with some underlying char.  Moderate finish. Nice to have something a bit different every now and then.  Drink over the next five years. A nice wine with pizza.  

Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, char, slight bramble and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Nice acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Lovely texture.  Black cherries, cherries and some char and spice.  Good finish.  This is very drinkable.  Young, but open.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Great on its own, this will work well with ribs or a burger off the grill.  

One of the old guard from Napa.  This is their basic Zin which is actually a blend of 83% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante, and 4% mixed reds.  This is a fine value.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has bramble with a peppery note.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherries and raspberries.  Easy finish.  This is drinkable without requiring contemplation.  Drink over the next couple of years.  A nice wine with foods off grill.  

This is my personal favorite of the Zinfandels in the Carlisle lineup.  It seems a bit softer yet plenty of fruit and depth.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, black raspberries, char and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and spice.  Great texture.  Good balance.  Long finish.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  Great on its own, this is a nice match with a (Veggie) Burger.  

Probably my favorite Zinfandel from the Turley offerings.  Deep garnet in color, Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has back cherries, black cherries, bramble and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  Lots of energy.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Of course young, but drinking well.  Black cherries, cherries, spice and slight char.  Long finish.  This will drink well over the next ten years.  Great on its own, this would be perfect with a burger or ribs on the grill.  

This is made from old vines originally planted in the 1920's and abandoned.

Love these wines.  They deserve more attention.  A middle of the road Zinfandel in style.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, char, slight bramble and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cherries, some black cherries with underlying char.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This is drinking great now and should continue to for seven to ten more years.  It drinks well on its own and would work great with a burger and roasted corn.