TN: 2006 Carlisle Syrah Rosella's Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands)

WINE TALK
1
  • 2006 Carlisle Syrah Rosella’s Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (1/18/2010)
    Medium dark ruby. Rasberries and smoke aromas. Rasberries, blackberries, cassis, smoke and pepper on the palate. Rich, concentrated fruit with a tannic backbone, lingering aftertaste. This wine is enjoyable now, but should improve through the next 2-3 years. (89 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Mike, thank you. Very few notes seem to surface on this bottling so appreciate the data point. I have yet to even open mine, let alone add a TN. 2-3 years huh? Any citrus or grapefruit, teriyaki?

3

Frank, the teriyaki - yes! The characteristic citrus - no. This one had nice stuffing, but it seems to need just a bit of time to come together. My recommendation is to hold off for at least a few months.

4

Mike,

What you describe is a 95 point wine for me. Your description really appeals to my subdued palate. Is the aftertaste lingering, or is there some saturation to hold the dark fruits on the finish?

5

Randy, the wine had a nice lingering aftertaste. I love Carlisle and I love Rosella’s. Tonight the bottle lacked the great balance I associate and expect with Mike’s wines.

I’ll give it another shot tomorrow and report back.

6

I opened this around 10 days ago and I did find the telltale grapefruit tones in the wine (which I often find in spades from other syrahs from this vineyard) and I’ve got to admit that I am not a fan of that characteristic in syrah. It was certainly drinkable and better than other Rosella’s syrahs that I have had, but it was easily in the lowest quintile of all Carlisle syrahs that I have had. But if you like the grapefruit thing and like Carlisles in general, this should be well within your wheelhouse.

7

Day 2. This wine has come together nicely. The grapefruit overtones that typify Rosella’s have emerged and the wine has rounded into a most enjoyable treat. I shouldn’t ever doubt the Officer/Rosella’s duo! Move the score up a couple of notches to 91.

My advice with this wine is to either hold it another year or so, or to decant it thoroughly.