Carlisle Winery & Vineyards
Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Russian River fruit is just so damn tasty. Can’t want to try the new Piner-Olivet blend from Carlisle this year.
Russian River fruit is just so damn tasty. Can’t want to try the new Piner-Olivet blend from Carlisle this year.
Feb 17th, 2018
* appearance: dark purple black
* aromas: dark berries, mint, violet
* palate: multilayered, dark brambly berries
* structure: medium body, silky tannin, medium+ acid, 15% alcohol
* finish: long spicy
* winemaking: sourced from vineyard planted in 1927 in Piner-Olivet district of Russian River Valley which is a great site for old vine Zinfandel, field blend of dozens of interplaneted varieties including Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo, and Peloursin
* pairing: homemade barbecue ribs
* cost: $47
* appearance: dark purple black
* aromas: dark berries, mint, violet
* palate: multilayered, dark brambly berries
* structure: medium body, silky tannin, medium+ acid, 15% alcohol
* finish: long spicy
* winemaking: sourced from vineyard planted in 1927 in Piner-Olivet district of Russian River Valley which is a great site for old vine Zinfandel, field blend of dozens of interplaneted varieties including Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo, and Peloursin
* pairing: homemade barbecue ribs
* cost: $47
Pairing to chicken chili, I considered a Gamay, a fresh Tempranillo, and an over extracted bomb (eh, when in Rome). Ultimately I chose this classy Zin. It’s texturally beautiful — creamy yet sleek riding on a bed of smooth, fresh acid. Between some cellar age and the complexity imparted by 87 year old vines (as of the vintage) and the diverse field blend, this wine is a real stunner against any bottle, not just its Zin brethren. Carlisle kills it and this vineyard more than deserves the namesake.
Pairing to chicken chili, I considered a Gamay, a fresh Tempranillo, and an over extracted bomb (eh, when in Rome). Ultimately I chose this classy Zin. It’s texturally beautiful — creamy yet sleek riding on a bed of smooth, fresh acid. Between some cellar age and the complexity imparted by 87 year old vines (as of the vintage) and the diverse field blend, this wine is a real stunner against any bottle, not just its Zin brethren. Carlisle kills it and this vineyard more than deserves the namesake.
Jun 14th, 2020As always, Carlisle killing it. Reigning in the jam and keeping acid fresh makes them one of the more complex, long-lived zinfandel producers of Zinfandel in California.
As always, Carlisle killing it. Reigning in the jam and keeping acid fresh makes them one of the more complex, long-lived zinfandel producers of Zinfandel in California.
Apr 20th, 2020
Red fruits...’14 has a few years ahead of it
Red fruits...’14 has a few years ahead of it
Feb 17th, 2019Very good, with its youth not at all holding it back. The racy acid is in perfect balance to the rich fruit.
Very good, with its youth not at all holding it back. The racy acid is in perfect balance to the rich fruit.
Dec 28th, 2018Enormous zin. Opened for 90 minutes, no decant. Showed very well tonight, loads of fruit. Great complement to our meals.
Enormous zin. Opened for 90 minutes, no decant. Showed very well tonight, loads of fruit. Great complement to our meals.
Aug 5th, 2018Decanted while we demolished a Pinot. After 30 minutes, still massive. Plush and mouth coating - just what I like in a zin!
Decanted while we demolished a Pinot. After 30 minutes, still massive. Plush and mouth coating - just what I like in a zin!
Sep 9th, 2017
Was worried this particular case of infanticide was going to be egregious but in fact this is Drinking beautifully - lush, full-throated but with good balancing acidity. Like blueberry and blackberry liqueur with an astonishing freshness. Nice wine.
Was worried this particular case of infanticide was going to be egregious but in fact this is Drinking beautifully - lush, full-throated but with good balancing acidity. Like blueberry and blackberry liqueur with an astonishing freshness. Nice wine.
Nov 17th, 2016