2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard - drinking great now
Any hints on what might be released this January?
In other news, I recently very much enjoyed the new 2013 derivative white. Very solid QPR. White Bordeaux like.
Finishing my '09 Montafi right now and it is still going strong. This should drink well for another 5 year I feel.
Had the '10 Bedrock Zin from Carlisle recently and it was in a dark and sinister mood. Opened with air, but felt like a Mourvèdre more than a Zin.
'11 Pagani is drinking extremely well.
Had an 07 Palisades petite sirah labst night. Went down real smooth and easy.
Enjoyed a 13 OV Zin last night. Thought I had 4 of them, but I guess I am now down to two…whoops.
That being said, great bottle. I’ll echo my cellartracker note:
1/10/2016 - I LIKE THIS WINE: 91 points (Edit)
With room for improvement, this is a great Zinfandel on release. It’s why I love Carlisle. High acidity, very smooth, and food friendly to the max. Black fruit, spice and typical zin notes. I’ll expand more as I drink more of my bottles. For now, 91+ easily!
2011 Hayne is drinking perfectly right now, well balanced and civilized. This is not the wild side of Zinfandel. Had it last night with chevapchichi at a local restaurant.
Popped a Carlisle Papera Ranch Carignan 2007 last night. Was a little roughed-up, but still impressive.
2013 old vines Zinfandel last night
The 2012 Saitone and the '13 Sonoma have been my favorites!
I really feel like the '13 Old Vine (Saitone/Old Martinelli Road aka Banfield) will shine in a year or two, IMHO, cjsavino.
2010 Pagani last night with take-out cheeburgers + curly fries. Not a shy Zin at all, needs a bit of air time which our bottle didn’t get. Last glass best, not ponderous but still powerful. Imagine this has plenty of life left.
Popped a '12 Saitone for the game. Needs 2-3 hours of air. Big fruit. Not a shy Zin.
'12 Grüner, not quite as forward as a bottle I had a month ago but still performing well.
'08 Carlisle Vineyard Zin. Man oh man, this has to be my fav vineyard for Zin as it consistently produces the most complex wines of its kind.
Starts out showing mostly black spices, then explodes into boysenberries on the nose. On the palate I get the most amazing red and black currant flavors.
This just reminds me too much of all the berries I grew up with and almost never get to eat fresh these days.
'13 Papera Ranch. In a word, delicious. This is everything I love about Zin.
Bump.
2013 Carlisle Compagni Portis:
-
2013 Carlisle Compagni Portis - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (1/22/2016)
Popped and poured, bright yellow-gold. Lively, floral-infused aromas of ripe apple, stone fruits, lime zest, honeysuckle, wet wool, beeswax and stony minerals, a joy to smell. Medium body. Stone fruits (peach) and citrus (lemon-lime) greet the palate and as on the nose are complimented by an impression of stony, somewhat saline minerals. Medium-plus acidity adds electricity to a lengthy, slightly chalky close, almost as if from tannins…
Delicious, expressive and unique, this is idiosyncratic CA white wine at it’s finest. Should drink beautifully in 2-3 years while holding nicely for many more.
Silly good.
'10 Two Acres tonight along with lots of other bottles (10 people) for my FIL’s bday dinner.
Just opened a 12 Papa’s Block, to enjoy with dinner a bit later. It was asking to be decanted, so obliged it. One of those instances where the wine was just clumsy and air starved. I’ll drop a note up tomorrow separately.
Opened my 1st Carlisle Saitone Zin, the 2011. Just a terrific wine. Great balance, with good structure and delicious brambly red fruit. The acidity is perfect and lifts the fruit on the lip smacking finish. Very good with a hearty beef stew on a very snowy, windy night. Need to order some of the new vintage.
•2009 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/24/2016)
Decanted 3 hrs. The 09 Carlisle Vineyard is in the zone and a terrify showing last night. Perfectly balanced between youthful, rich plum and other exotic Zin-esque goodies with layering and complexity. My last bottle, and a top ten Carlisle Zin for my palate. (94 points)