91 2011 Carlisle Sonoma County Zinfandel 2/16/15 ($24)
39% Fanucchi (RRV), 23% Carlisle (RRV), 11% Rowe (SV), 10% Rossi (SV), 9% Lingenfelder (RRV), 8% Bedrock (SV) 14.9% alc
Color: Medium deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Pretty Zinberry tending towards bluberry and boysenberry with subtle briar and vanilla, also slight white chalk and medicinal eucalyptus. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with excellent sweet/tart fruit and acidity. Rich, silky mouthfeel. (3.0) Flavor: Zinberry really pops here. Delicious. (3.0) Finish: Long and delicious, even better than the flavor. (3.5)
Overall: Really impressive for the price and appellation, drinks like a top notch Russian River Zin. The Zinberry fruit is lush and lively. Propelled by excellent acidity, it is perfectly balanced with vanilla and briar nuances in the background. Only a solid middleweight, but the fruit sings along with a pretty RRV demeanor. Bravo!!! Best Sonoma County Zin bottling from Carlisle yet. Drink now and in the next few years. Very food friendly. (15.5)
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