Zinfandel

This was the lightest wine at a recent tasting of Carlisle wines.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cinnamon, black cherries and other spices.  light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with a slight cough syrup note.  Moderate finish.  More of a "Claret" styled Zinfandel.  This is nice on its own but would be better with food.  A yellow curry dish would work well.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight bramble, char and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is nicely balanced with good acidity.  Flavors of  black cherries, with spice and char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well but will age nicely over the next ten years.  It is excellent on its own and will work well with many foods. It went very well with vegetarian Indian food (moderately spicy).

Another great vintage for this wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, raspberries, slight bramble, warm earth, and pepper.  Medium to full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is young but already delicious.  Flavors of black and red raspberries, black cherries and char.  Lively.  Long finish.  It is drinking great now but should go another ten to fifteen years although it may likely be more "claret" in style.  Drink on its own or with grilled meats, fowl or veggies.  

This is a blend of 81% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, and 9% Carignane.  A middle of the road style of Napa Zinfandel.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight raspberries, bramble, gravel and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Some depth.  Flavors of black cherries, cherries, slight cranberries and spice.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own and will work well with foods off the grill.  Drink over the next five years.  

This is a blend of 87% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane, 1% Alicante Bouschet from vines averaging 75 years old.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, brambles, gravel and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is a middle of the road Zin.  Not a monster, but not a claret either.  It has depth and some complexity.  Flavors of black cherries, slight cherries, spice and slight bramble.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and would be great with a burger off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.