Ruby in color, some purple. On the nose this has some cherry juice and also some celery. On the palate, the green streak is a bit out of balance. There is some cherry fruit. It seems a bit disjointed at present. Perhaps it comes around with time. I am told this sells for around $60. Certainly worth drinking but not a great value for my tastes.
This is a field blend with over 30 different types of grape interspersed throughout the vineyard, much of it zinfandel and alicante bouschet, but also tempranillo, mondeuse, carignane and mourvedre. Pop and pour, it is very interesting. Ruby in color with some purple swirls. The nose has a some barnyard which seems to be brettanomyces ( a yeast that is in wines). It is possible its just from the Mondeuse or possibly some Mourvedre. In addition, there is great black cherry fruit and a bit of anise. On the palate, this has tart red cherry fruit with a bit of earthiness. Slightly drying
Some of the older standards of California wine get short shifted by the new comers. Pride is one of those whose wines stand the test of time and over a variety of great wine makers. This wine is purple in color. The nose has dark cherries, dark chocolate, spice and cedar. On the palate, there is plenty of dark cherry fruit layered with brown tobacco notes. There are firm tannins that seem to grow in the glass. Despite being 11 years from vintage, this really needs time or air. There appears to be enough fruit to outlast the tannins. There is certainly more upside on this wine.
Purple in color. The nose is nice with black pepper, black raspberries, slight roasted herbs, and some bacon fat. Full bodied. Cooler climate in style. On the palate, boysenberries, black pepper, slight earthiness with good acidity. Slight tannins. deep and layered. Good balance. Nice finish. This went very well with Indian food (Syrah is a surprisingly good food match with Indian food). Seems to be still on the younger side of peak though drinking well now.
This is a field blend of mostly Rhone varietals and some Petite Sirah. The Petite Sirah seems to take over more and more as this wine ages. Purple in color. The nose has boysenberries, plums, char and some roasted herbs. On the palate, this has boysenberries, some black cherries and spice. Nice medium bodied mouth feel. some complexity. Slight tannins. Good finish. Probably at peak now, but no hurry at all on this.
I try to let some of my Carlisle wines age. Really, I do. This is about as successful as I get. They are just so good young. This one was consumed at age 5. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, some raspberries, a bit of black licorice and char. On the palate, a really luxurious texture. Delicious. Black cherries, some black licorice and char. Great balance. Long finish. Great on its own or with food. Great wine.
Light golden in color. The nose is great with a creamy lemon vanilla quality to it. Maybe some peach as well as it warms. On the palate, this has a lush creamy texture. Lemons, vanilla, and with air some pineapple. This is still young but has rounded out a bit. Layers of depth with lemon and pineapple intertwined with a dry candied quality if that makes sense. This seems like it will age quite well. There is still some oak but it is almost seamless instead of over bearing. Long finish. Great wine.
Light to medium golden in color. Cloudy. The nose is very pretty with pineapple, and minerals and just the slightest notes of grass. Revisiting this also has some hay. On the palate, this is delicious. A creamy texture. A perception of sweetness from the ripe tropical fruit notes. Also crisp enough served cold. Long finish. Worked well with food. One of the truly great Sauvignon Blancs from California. While it seems like it will age fine, it is so fresh and lively now, I am not sure it gets better, just different, I would (and I did), drink these sooner than later.
Another Carlisle wine, another great wine. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. On the nose, black raspberries, spice, and some vanilla. On the palate, a great lush but juicy texture. Great energy. Flavors of black raspberry, some char and pepper. Long finish. Works well with food or on its own.
Light gold in color. The nose has lemon chiffon and vanilla and a bit of spice. Wonderful mouth feel. Creamy texture. Lemon chiffon with some vanilla. Good acidity. Deep. This drinks well now but should age for a decade or more depending on how you like older Chardonnays. Delicious wine.
