Twenty-five years ago, when I first started getting into wine, I used to drink a lot of Zinfandel. For some reason, I have not focused as much on Zin in recent years as I used to, but I have been on the Carlisle list for a few years now and tried a few (most of them too young, I’m sure). This Papera Ranch Zin is an eye-opener for me. It is big without being heavy, and the red fruited profile is met with a nice pepper and herb counterpoint. It has a lot of acidic verve, and I’d guess it will evolve positively for several years. Very, very nice!
Man, these 2011 Carlisle Zin’s are just delicious. Had a 2011 Carlisle Vineyard last night…so good, if not initially a bit more structured than the others. Opened up beautifully over the evening.
Brady, imho both the 2009’s and 2010’s are drinking far more youthfully than the 2011’s. If you have a decent amount, definitely worth checking out a 2011 Zin right now.
Is this your first Carlisle zin? If not, do you feel it is different from the others that you have had?
I would generally agree with your observation. I had a 2007 Carlisle Carignane last night, and my thought was similar - big, lots of fruit, savory, and despite all the vibrant fruit it is not over the top by any means.
Good to see a TN for a 2011 Carlisle Zin. Thanks for taking one for the team! I haven’t yet decided on a drinking strategy for the 2011s.
I popped both a 2009 Monte Rosso Zin and a 2009 Martinelli Road Zin this week – both were absolutely smokin’. The more Carlisle Zins I drink, the more I feel like this is a style that showcases youth and freshness. I used to wait 4 years from release before digging in, but now I think 2 years from release is more my speed.
No. I had several '10s from my initial order and one other '11 before this one (don’t remember which one right now). But this one made by far the biggest impression of all of them.
I couldn’t agree more. I have always felt the prime window is 3-4 years from vintage. Mike’s zins need a few years to calm down and come in to balance, but I prefer the beautiful youthful, brambly fruit that becomes less intense with extended aging.
Glad you enjoyed the wine. In general, I really dig our '11s. Very fresh, red-fruited wines with great acidity. I think they will age well. It was definitely a unique vintage for California given how cool it was. But 2010 was also unique, especially for Zinfandel. We did the best we could and certainly made some good wines but it’s a vintage I hope we never experience again. Fortunately, after these two vintages, we were thrown two easy ones with 2012 and 2013. But we’re coming off the driest year in recorded history and if we don’t get rain soon, 2014 may be a wild ride. Never a dull moment as a farmer!
Popped an '07 Pap tonite, based on this thread. A very complete Zin, no angularity…for those who view coffee ratings (see Sweetmarias.com up there in Oakland), this is a perfect circle.
2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch- USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/20/2013)
This has started off really good, and represents the first 2011 Carlisle I have drank to date. I opened this about an hour ago. It took time to fill in and continues to evolve but what’s got my attention is the cherry and raspberry fruit, things I would normally attribute to cooler climate Pinot Noir. Yet, here are these flavors, that is shaded in vanilla, some red vine and medium weight with some zesty-edged acid. Really tasty and I suspect with more air that it will evolve some additional flavors so take my note here accordingly but this is really nice Zin…didn’t get a lot of time to toil over the wine after it had aired out but do recall it fattening up more, drak terrific. The bottle was emptied, too.
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I haven’t yet decided on a drinking strategy for the 2011s.