This is a vineyard blend from an older vineyard in Sonoma. This is how wine used to be grown as opposed to blending in the winery. Sometimes in these older vineyards, its not clear what is growing without doing DNA tests on each vine. This vineyard has 60% Zinfandel, 25% Carignane and 15% comprised of 22 othr varietals. The wine is purple with ruby swirls.
I love Carlisle Zinfandels. Mike Officer makes a bunch of them, but this is my favorite one. Purple in color. The nose has some bramble, dark cherries and a bit of pepper. What i find I like consistently from vintage to vintage, however, is the texture. It is round, lush, and delicious without being over the top. Black cherries, raspberries, and black licorice. No heat. Each sip makes we want to take another. It is food friendly, but these seem to go down too quickly. Its hard to not gulp. This should age easily for another five years and probably ten or more.
This is a very good, middle of the road, straight forward Zin (in a good way). Purple in color with some ruby swirls. The nose has dark cherries, raspberries, bramble and black pepper. Full bodied with a nice texture. Juicy black cherries and raspberries. Some depth. Drinking great but should age a bit and last a decade. Works with bigger foods or on its own. Delicious.
One of my favorite vineyards from one of my favorite wineries. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, some bramble and a bit pf pepper. Wonderful texture. Lush but with great energy. Deep but unwinds in the glass. Juicy deliciousness. Black raspberry and black cherry fruit. Slight tannins. This will last another decade, but why? It is so unique and great now.
This is a Zinfandel blend. It seems to be a bit past prime at this point but still hanging in there. Not as energetic as it was a few years prior. No sin in that for this wine, it just means to drink the newer vintages in the first five years or so. Purple in color. The nose has cherries, black cherries, some spice and a bit of alcohol. On the palate, mostly red fruits; cherries and raspberries. Not deep but tasty. There is some heat on it, more warming than hot.
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
One of my go to wines for inexpensive but really good red wines. This costs around $25 a bottle and really over delivers. Purple in color. The nose has some raspberries, dark cherries, a bit of bramble, and some char. On the palate, this has a nice full bodied texture. It is young now and would probably last 10 years except that I can't manage not to drink these. Black cherries, boysenberries, some black licorice on the palate. Light to medium tannins. Good acidity. Works well on its own or with food. Nice finish. Some upside potential to improve with age for a couple of years.
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.
From a 375ml. This is a nice bottle to have when you want something easy and not too expensive for a couple of glasses. Purple in color. Cherries and slight raspberries on the nose. Some bramble and spice. Easy drinking. Not too complex. Enjoyable. Around $15.
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.
