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

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 grilled foods and also on its own.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2016

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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Dashe Cellars: Making Zinfandel in Oakland

The wine business is a fickle mistress. Winery owners and winemakers chase elusive scores, the public makes buying decisions based on movies, hype and price, and critics seem to applaud fruit laden, high octane wines. So where does that leave Dashe Cellars in Oakland, CA? Right where they want to be.

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

Vintage:

2021

Score:

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

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

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

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$45.00USD

This remains my favorite Carlisle Zinfandel year in and year out. There are lots of reasons, but chief among them is the texture. So rich and lush yet the wine has so much balance and energy. A blend of 96% Zinfandel and 4% Carignan. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with raspberries, black raspberries, slight blueberries, smoke and slight bramble. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, black raspberries, raspberries and slight black cherries with smoke and some dry earthiness. Great acidity. Long finish. Delicious. This should drink well over the next ten to

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

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