Over the last two days, I tried these 3 Carlisles:
1. Carlisle Zin DryCreekVlly (15.2%; VinesPlntd: 1885-1952; b+ PS/Carignane; 300 cs) 2008: Med.color w/ some bricking; bit alcoholic/fumey strong blackberry/raspberry/DCV Zin bit dusty/OV plenty of fruit bit complex nose; lightly tart some rich/lush strong blackberry/raspberry/spicy DCV Zin bit fumey fairly dusty/OV bit complex flavor w/ light smooth tannins; very long/lingering strong spicy/DCV Zin/blackberry/raspberry some dusty/OV some complex finish w/ light/smooth tannins; still plenty of classic DCV/spicy Zin fruit & no signs of tired/drying out but not likely to get any better; quite a nice fully-mature DCV Zin.
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2. Carlisle Zin MontafiRnch/RRV/SonomaCnty (15.4%; TomFeenyRanch; Plntd: 1926; + PS/AlicanteBouschet/GrandNoir; 240 cs) 2006: Very dark color w/ slight bricking; beautiful aromatic intense blackberry/boysenberry/RRV Zin/very spicy quite dusty/OV strong toasty/Fr.oak rather complex nose; lightly tart/tangy slight metallic strong toasty/Fr.oak intense blackberry/boysenberry/very spicy/ripe/classic RRV Zin rather peppery/bit licorice fairly dusty/OV rather complex flavor w/ modest smooth tannins; very long/lingering lightly tart slight metallic/tangy quite dusty/OV intense ripe/blackberry/boysenberry/rather peppery classic RRV/spicy beautiful finish w/ modest smooth tannins; a beautiful expression of OV RRV Zin; tannins are pretty much resolved and probably at its peak or beyond; no signs of age or drying out/tired.
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3. Carlisle Syrah Rosella'sVnyd/SantaLuciaHighlands (14.7%; 175 cs) SantaRosa 2008: Very dark color w/ slight bricking; very strong blackberry/Syrah/boysenberry some peppery/c-c/bit herbal bit citric/grapefruity strong toasty/smokey/oak slight herbal/rosemary/thyme rather complex classic SLH Syrah nose; quite tart/tangy rather citric/grapefruity strong blackberry/ripe/boysenberry/Syrah some c-c/peppery fairly toasty/smokey/oak bit complex flavor w/ modest tangy tannins; very long/lingering quite tart rather citric/grapefruity very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah/very spicy bit herbal/rosemary slight c-c/peppery bit citric/tangy some toasty/smokey/oak fairly complex finish w/ modest tannins; still seems a bit youthful but not sure it's going to get any better; a lovely mature SLH Syrah.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. I was expecting the DCV Zin to be a bit on the tired side. It was not...but not likely to improve any. The Montafi & Rosella's were in beautiful/mature condition.
Tom