My wife and I have been drinking and enjoying Carlisle Zins for years. Unfortunately as we get older it seems our tolerance for alcohol is decreasing. It’s not necessarily we don’t like the wines, it’s our bodies just can’t process all that alcohol as quickly as before. Neither of us sleep very well after drinking a bottle much over 13.5%. It’s not just Carlisle, higher alcohol Pinots and Cabs have the same effect.
Carlisle has been pretty much our exclusive source for Zinfandel, but looking at the latest release all their Zins were coming in at 15% plus. Regretfully I just had to pass, and am now looking for an alternative winery that can deliver great Zinfandel taste, but at at lower alcohol. Are there any such producers out there? All suggestions welcome!
I’ve really started to like Bucklin and their Zins and blends. I just tried to go their site and it’s not working, but I’d be surprised if they were high-proof. I also think the ancient vines are really cool. I dig their Grenache as well.