Carlisle

M_Dildine · November 20, 2009, 3:12am

I had a boatload of 07 Carlisle deposited into my cellar today, and I thought I’d try an 07 from the previous shipment - the Dry Creek Zinfandel.

I’d like to say “It was great, what did you expect”, but that would be too glib.

It was sensational!

Just like love and money, you can’t have too much Carlisle.

Udo_Hoerhold · November 20, 2009, 1:10pm

I actually had my first Carlisle just a couple of weeks ago. It was the 2005 Carlisle Vineyard Zin, bought from WineBid. The first day I was disappointed, it seemed overly ripe. The second day, though, it was fantastic. I was surprised, I don’t normally think of Zin as something that needs aging, but this one could have used a couple more years. Is this usual with Carlisle Zins?

Based on that, I’m not planning to open any of the '07s that I just got (my first allotment) for quite a while.

William_Segui · November 20, 2009, 3:21pm

I really dig Mike’s appellation wines. His SVD’s are awesome, but need time, so while I wait I crush the Dry Creek, Sonoma, etc’s.

David_Lewin · November 20, 2009, 8:11pm

Pretty hard to generalize, as I find big differences between different vintages and vineyards. In general, I find that the Carlisle Vineyard Zins require more age than any of Mike’s other Zinfandels. 2005 is also a particularly age-worthy vintage. You are wise to wait on the 07’s as that too is a backwards vintage by Carlisle standards.

I am finishing my 2004 Zinfandels (other than the Carlisle Vineyard) and they have been great. I’ll probably drink most of the 2006’s before most of the 2005’s.

Hope this helps.

David

Tom_Gutting · November 20, 2009, 11:08pm

I love these wines, particularly in 2007. I would be ashamed to say how much I’ve drunk through already, even at the SVD level, but they’re so damn delicious and have been so much fun, I just can’t be troubled with shame.

Chris_Presutti · November 21, 2009, 12:20am

…96 bottles of Carlisle on the wall…

I’m enjoying the last glass of a bottle of 2006 Carlisle Rossi Zin that I opened last night. I love this stuff.

Stu_Fishler · November 21, 2009, 3:06am

Whuh? This is news?

What does Ms. Sbrocco think of it?

Frank_Murray_III · November 21, 2009, 7:51pm

We should have a 2006 Montafi open tomorrow, which was pretty sensational the last time I had it earlier this year. You guys and the 2007s…I have merely consumed some of the RRV syrah I bought and the rest are cellared. Hell, I can’t even say I have touched many of my 2006s.

FWIW, there is a pretty nice pick of Carlisle up on Wine Bid this week. If it wasn’t for trying to dial back on my spending, I would bid on some of these.