Tasting Note                         

93+   2011  Carlisle  Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)   4/19/15  ($46)

87% Zinfandel, 13% Mixed Black Varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Peloursin, Trousseau noir, Tempranillo, Muscadelle, Malvasia, Muscat, and over 30 other varieties)   15.7% alc
Color: Purple-red garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Gorgeous Zinberry with rich vanilla and nuances of briar and eucalyptus. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent fruit and acidity. Smooth tannins underneath. Silky mothfeel. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but shows some youthful austerity, mostly fierce acidity with just a hint of heat. (3.0) Finish: Bouquet returns again and again here. Very long with exotic marzipan, vanilla and briar intermixed with tangy fruit. (3.5)
Overall: Big and absolutely delicious already. Surprisingly elegant for its weight and alcohol. Like liquid silk in your mouth with power. Shows some youthful austerity in the flavor, but bouquet and finish are very strong. Combo of Zinberry infused with vanilla, briar, eucalyptus and marzipan is exotic. Could certainly improve in the next 3-5 years. (16.5)

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