TN: 2007 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch

WINE TALK
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  • 2007 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (7/28/2014)
    This bottle is crazy good. I was worried because there was leakage around the cork. One of the darkest sins color wise I have had in a while. Beautiful red fruits and a beautiful nose. This baby is ready to go but has a couple of years ahead of it. Enjoy this great bottle. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Thanks. I need to dig out my remaining bottles. This wine was so spectacular from the start, even as a barrel sample. My last note on this (from a few years ago): Dark berry compote nose, dark, intense zinberry, touch of sweetness in the middle, then a wash of complex dark berry flavors, touch of anise and savory herbs, just the right balance of acidity and some mild tannins to finish. This has some of the character of a great Quinta do Vesuvio vintage port, with it’s dark anise and herb complexities A spectacularly good Zin, one of the best Carlisles I have had. Maybe this gets better with a year or two, or more, but I’m not sure I’ll be waiting around to find out :slight_smile:

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That wine was the consensus wine of the night in a group of 2007 - 2011 Carlisle Zinfandels a bit over a year ago TN: 2005-2011 Carlisle Carlisle, Montafi, and Papera Zinfandels (long) - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers. The 2012 Montafi may follow in its footsteps.

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Alan,

I don’t know if this will get any better at this point nor do I think it will be declining any time soon. Just a terrific bottle that I wish I had more of. I guess the good news is that I have more Carlisle in my cellar than anything else to enjoy for years to come.

DaveO

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The '11 at that same tasting was almost equally good. We’ll see about '12 and I’m looking forward to trying '13.