2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review

Just a beautiful wine. Drinking youthfully but showing some development. Open for business. Purple in color. The nose has leather, bramble, black raspberries. Very deep. With air, some graphite. On the palate, black raspberries with an underlayer of charred earth. A lovely texture; both velvety and intense. great finish. This would pair with heartier foods and certainly spicy foods. This may not get better but has five to seven years left at peak easily and probably more as it morphs into more of a claret styled Zin. So good right now though.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2012

Top Ten California Zinfandels - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2015 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$47.00USD

Nice to revisit this wine. It was quite rambunctious on release and while still more of a brawny Zin it has started the evolution to more claret in style. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose has raspberries, black cherries, some spice and black pepper. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Plenty of raspberries and cherries with some dry charred earthiness. There is some warmth on the finish but not enough to be a concern. There does seem to be enough fruit to last, so the question is what you are looking for in a Zinfandel. If you want big and bold drink now, but if claret s

2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A+

What a great showing for this wine. Gorgeous. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, char, bramble and baking spices. Full bodied. Lush and luxurious texture. Lots of energy though. It drinks (too) easily. Delicious but also has a depth and complexity. Lots of black cherries, black raspberries and black pepper on the palate. Long finish. This should continue to drink well for ten years at least but it will lose its vibrancy and be replaced with more complexity. It would be a shame to miss it now. It will work great with grille

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

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

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.

2018 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$50.00USD

From Mike Officer's home vineyard, the Carlisle Zin is great in every vintage but in 2018 they continued to exceed expectations. A blend of mostly Zinfandel (86%) and 14% mixed "black" grapes including Alicante Bouschet and Cinsault from 91-year-old vines. Inky purple swirls with deep ruby hues make for a very attractive appearance. Opaque and bright. The nose is concentrated with raspberries, black cherries, slight pine and spice. A seamless texture that makes this so accessible even while being so young. On the palate, black raspberries, slight blueberries, black cherries with underl

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review

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