Zinfandel

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.  

One of the best Zinfandel producers and one of the best Zinfandel vineyards.  What's not to like?  This is a great Zinfandel.  It's always a question when to open Zins.  They drink so well young.  Some of them age great.  This is one that there is no right answer to the question as it seems its always good.  Purple in color.  The nose has raspberries, boysenberries, bramble, black pepper and an interesting iodine note.  On the palate, this has a lush but lively texture.  Great energy to the wine.  Flavors of raspberries and dark cherries intertwines with char and earth.  Great balance.  Lon

Sometimes when in a restaurant in can be challenging to find a wine that is priced fairly and good.  Often, I just turn to beer.  Last night, this one was on the menu for $45 at a nice restaurant.  This retails for about $26 in a limited release, so the price is a bit high, but not bad for a downtown restaurant.  sadly, it was served quite warm.  We asked for an ice bucket and got a marble cooler that had limited effect.  Nevertheless, the wine was good.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight bramble, cherries, slight anise and alcohol.  On the palate, lush black cherries an

From one of oldest Zinfandel vineyards in the Pacific Northwest dating back to the early 1900's.  I love this Zin as it is not boisterous but it is intense.  It also ages well.  Purple in color.  The nose has raspberries, cherries and some spice.  On the palate, this is deep.  Tight right now.  Cherry and black cherry fruit.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Good now but will get more complex with age.  

This was a bit backward and tight and the moment.  It needed some time and air although it is getting close.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight bramble, and raspberries.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Once it opens, it is just delicious.  Deep but tight.  Gobs of juicy black cherries and raspberries.  An underlying char.  Works with big foods.  Nice finish.  Will it age?  Yes.  How well just depends on how you like you Zins.  

Inky purple in color.  The nose is very nice with black cherry fruit.  Some bramble.  A bit if spice.  On the palate, this has a lovely, juicy texture.  Black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  Some depth although this is young and its packed tight.  It does unwind in the glass.  Nice finish.  This is really enjoyable now and should store well for a decade or more.  

I love ridge Zin and Zin blends.  And I love Pagani fruit, so I thought I would like this more than I did.  Its good, and maybe with some time it settles down a bit but I hoped for more.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries and some bramble to it.  Also a bit of underlying charcoal.  On the palate, this is solid black raspberry fruit but it seems over ripe and bordering on cloying especially on the finish.  Perhaps with some cellaring it some into more balance and if so, there is room for a couple of points of upside.  As it is, it is a good wine but if sweetness bothers you, p

This was pop and pour and probably could have used a bit more air.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with dark cherries, slight bramble, a bit of pepper and iodine.  On the palate, this is quite juicy.  A bitterness at first which turned more to a sour cherry note.  I preferred the later.  Nice finish.  This is a big wine and while a bit jammy, in no way over the top.  A crowd pleaser.