Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.
As Pinot Noir goes, this is quite simply a very pretty wine. Sure, that’s not the sort of descriptor that most reviews use, but it is accurate. Subtle, soft, almost subversive, this is a Pinot that doesn’t announce itself, it doesn’t brag, it simply waits in the glass for you to try it. There is noticeable but subdued fruit; black cherry, pomegranate, Rainer cherry, light strawberry, pomegranate but they are wonderfully melded together so that nothing stands out – except for the quality of the wine in your glass at that moment.
California is making some very nice Albarinos these days. At four years from vintage it might be worrying but this was sealed with a screw cap and the wine inside from fresh and bright. Light green/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with apples, peach and a stony minerality. Medium bodied. Slightly oily texture. On the palate, this is more about fruit and some minerality than its crisper Spanish siblings. It is filled with ripeness and body. Flavors of red apples and peaches. Good finish. This works very nice on its own and would work well with lighter foods. A nic
This is a blend of 86% Zinfandel with 14% other varietals from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma. Of course, it is Mike Officer and Carlisle's home vineyard. Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is energetic with black raspberries, black cherries, bramble, black pepper and spice (cloves?). Medium bodied. Light tannins. Great balance. On the palate, this is young but really opens with an hour or two air. Plenty of depth. Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, char and spice. Juicy. Long finish. This is delicious on its own and will work
The Santa Cruz Mountains are the home to many of my favorite Chardonnays and this is definitely one of them. Light gold in color with some hay yellow swirls, clear and bright. The nose is big but lovely with lemon peel, slight lime, slight apples, vanilla, spice and char. Full bodied. Creamy texture countered with crisp acidity. On the palate, this is crisp, satisfying and delicious. Deep and complex, it unwinds with a bit of air in the glass. Flavors of lemon peel, slight vanilla, spice and char. Long finish. This is great on its own but better with food. This would work so well
This continues to be my favorite Chardonnay! It drinks great young and ages nicely. With just a kiss of vanilla showing, there is some oak but not enough to be an issue even for many of the most oak adverse drinkers. Light green/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with lemon creme, a touch of vanilla, spice and slight char. Full bodied. Very light tannins. Great balance. On the palate, this is delicious. Great texture. Flavors of lemons, slight cooked apples, vanilla and spice. A bit of char on the long finish. This drinks great on its own and will work well with
Having tasted this as a barrel sample, it was nice to get to taste this from bottle. Of course, it is young, but at age six, it is showing very well. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is concentrated but big with cassis, slight graphite, char, and spice. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Good energy. On the palate, cassis, graphite, chocolate, spice and char. Delicious. Long finish. This is drinking well but it will easily go another ten to fifteen more years. Great on its own, this will work well with big meat or roasted vegetables.
Another great GV from Carlisle. This bears some resemblance to its Austrian counterparts, but is certainly from California. Light gold/green in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with limes, granny smith apples and minerals. Light to medium bodied. Well balance. Good acidity. On the palate, limes, some apples and slight vanilla note. Tasty. This drink great on its own and will work well with lighter foods. It would be a nice with with Quiche. Drink over the next five to eight years.
