TN: 2009 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard

For those of you who live in the OC, I took this bottle to Gulftsream last night and paired it with the 3 dip combo (hummus, guac and trout), then enjoyed it with the Ahi burger and a side of beets with the citrus, mint and walnuts. Paired great. Tonight is some homemade brown lentil with some curry. In the end, this wine has always been a favorite of mine, going back to the 2003 vintage. I don’t drinka lot of Zin anymore but I always have space in the cellar for Montafi and Carlisle vineyards. Great stuff below.

  • 2009 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/5/2012)
    First bottle I have opened since release. Been open about 15 mins, so really a pull and pour. I am pretty sensitive to heat, especially now with the amount of low alc wines I have begun to drink more and more and I have to say at this stage of having the wine opened, I don’t find the heat here that some have mentioned. I find the red fruits on the nose, the incense-like note too. Palate is medium-plus bodied, with a spicy, energetic core. Raspberry and snappy red berry with cinnamon stick and cherry hard candy, which doesn’t to me come off as cloying but instead tastes focused, pure. Long finish, that does include some vanilla. This wine is still young, a bit rough and tumble, but it’s stuffed with a core of potential. I’ll be curious to see how it does with a couple more hours of air, as I am having it with dinner, matched with some beats and walnuts, along with an #1 ahi tuna burger…so back to the wine a full day later and a wrap up to this TN. The wine shows a more juicy profile today, a bit more relaxed in flavor, too. Not jammy or 'roided up but instead more medium in weight with the same zesty red fruited core. Classic Carlisle Vineyard expression and really quite delicious. As for an aging window, the zetiness in this wine gives it some cool edges now but in 3-4 years, I think that oughta be gone. With 3 bottles in inventory, I liked this bottle now for how it tastes, the next one I will drink in 2013, and save the final one for 2015, and likely source a couple more along the way as I just really think a lot of this vineyard and what Mike does with it.

Posted from CellarTracker

Had this one last week as well. With ample air time, it really rocks, with surprising acidity and plenty of structure. Must buy more next time!

Popped the '07 last week. Even better second day.

Great Zins!

I drained off the last glass tonight. A real depth of fruit and freshness in the wine. Delicious.

  • 2009 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (3/11/2012)
    Now this is more like it. My last bottle was a total mess but this one made up for it. Sat uncorked on the counter for 3 hours. Poured and drank like blackberry velvet with a nice bramble spice to it. Lush and rich on the palate. No discernible alcohol this go round. Finished with soft tannins and a touch oak. Man I love what Mike does with Zinfandel.

Posted from CellarTracker

Had this one recently, and it is great Zin. You have to give it major air time, however. I often wonder how many subpar reviews of young reds result from inadequate aeration.

Good note Frank. I have an 05 Carlisle Carlisle tee’d up for 3/19.

Thanks for the update Brian, and I have to pile on here with everyone, this is a great zin and the first Carlisle I’ve ever had (after finally making the list). Even for such a young wine it was just singing last January with a little bit of air.

Likewise last week. The structure and acidity were evident to me too. Great now, but likely to blossom further with a little more time. Stellar effort Mike O., as usual.