2020 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$49.00USD

This continues to be my favorite Zinfandel in the Carlisle lineup.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, slight black pepper and bramble.  Medium bodied.  Great, soft, but accessible texture.  Balanced.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black raspberries, black cherries, slight black pepper and slight char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work nicely with foods off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2021 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$52.00USD

This is a blend from the winery's home vineyard of 87% Zinfandel, 13% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Peloursin, Trousseau Noir, Tempranillo, Carignan, Muscadelle, Malvasia, Muscat, Clairette blanche & 28 Other Varieties).  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The nose takes about twenty minutes to open and then just keeps improving.  Black cherries, raspberries, char, black raspberries, kirsch, and spice.  Full bodied.  Great energy.  Wonderful balance.  Light to medium tannins.  Great semi-lush texture.  On the palate, this is

2006 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is one of the best values in Syrah.  It is also one of the best Syrahs.  it ages so beautifully, it is a pleasure to drink one at age 18.  Perfectly mature but not showing any age.  Purple in color, shimmering bright.  Opaque.  The nose is great with black raspberries, a hint of barnyard, black pepper and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Lovely texture.  Flavors of black raspberries with some black pepper and char.  Long finish.  great on its own but perfect with dinner.  It will work with most fowl, meats or pork.  It raised a veggies

Rodney Strong 2021 Pinot Noir Reserve, Russian River Valley

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

A plush wine, this is a rather decadent Pinot Noir, offering Rainer cherry, plum, raspberry, rhubarb, a slight earthiness as well as light vanilla, campfire smoke and pomegranate. The acidity keeps the bright fruit balanced and the light touches of oak influence (14 months in French oak of which just over half was new) creates a velvety easy drinking smooth wine. Some wines are built for deconstructing and some wines and made for the pure enjoyment of drinking them, and the latter is the case here. ORIGIN: Sonoma, Russian River Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

This is middle of the road inn terms of RRV Pinot Noir.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cola, slight forest floor and baking spices.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries with spice and a slight forest floor note.  Nice finish.  This is young but drinking well.  It should mature a bit as it ages.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It drinks well on its own and should work well with fowl.  It would also work well with Hunan/Chinese.  

2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay The Cutrer, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

My first time trying "The Cutrer".  It is a bit rounder than the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.  It just depends on style preferences as to which one you might prefer.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, some butter, baking spices and a touch of nuttiness.  Full bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, apples and baked apples with some baking spices.  Good finish.  This is very nice on its own but struggled a bit with a vegetarian lasagna.  That said, on its own it is very accessible and also has some depth.  Drink over the next five years.  

2010 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is in a great spot right now.  Still youthful but drinking well.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted herbs and slight roasted meats.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Also some black pepper.  Deep.  Long finish.  This is near peak but should go another eight to twelve years.  Very nice on its own, this would also work well at the dinner table with slow cooked meats or veggies.  

2009 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$98.00USD

This is a big Pinot for those who love this style.  14.6% abv according to the label.  Purple/garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight root beer and spice.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, load of fruit but balanced by juicy acidity.  Plenty of depth.  Black cherries, cherries and spice.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work with bolder flavors in foods such as Roasted Fowl.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

La Follette 2019 Pinot Noir, Heintz Vineyard

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

With fruit coming from Heintz Ranch, which has been operational since 1912, this wine offers soft and delicate fruit, it does not pretend to be overt. There is noticeable, black cherry, strawberry, huckleberry, with earthy under notes and light green tea. Whereas the acidity is in check, there is a velvety quality to this, a tactile, drinking experience. 186 cases. The judicious use of oak aging allows for purity of fruit. ORIGIN: Russian River Valley, Sonoma. ALCOHOL: 13.5%.

2018 Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel Bacigalupi Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

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.  

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