5/18/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Stunning texture, with cottony tannins, and a full body, that is light and lifted. Blueberries, lilacs, white pepper, braised pork, dried shallots and river rock. Unfolds without effort and at the core displays this lovely, deep fruit. The finish sails on. The body remains full, regardless of the lift. Such a demure Syrah. Legendary in form and fashion; this remains just astounding. This will outlast many. Drink 2026 -.

5/18/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Feminine and lighter in colour, with pure Grenache fruit. Raspberry, tarragon, basil, lava rock, lilies and dried cherries. Succulent, long and simply pretty. Layers of red fruit and very silky tannins. Quite young, a couple more years will only help show the complexity. Medium body and sappy. There is a sous bois element throughout. I’m guessing stem inclusion, with little new oak. Very reminiscent of Carlisle’s Rossi - which is from a very different terroir. Drink 2026 - 2038.

5/18/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Absolutely ravishing. An amalgam of the finest barrels for Hudson, this is a real stunner. There’s depth and weight, yet this is lithe and pure. Almost weightless. White pineapple, lemon oil, pie crust, mineral, vanilla and chamomile. The length of the finish is far over a minute, and the juicy middle is amazing. Glycerin and although there was mostly new oak, there is no sign of it. So close to perfection, with this backend grip. This will age for many a year. Drink now - 2040.

5/18/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Guava, Meyer lemon, pain grillé, saline rock and thyme. Long yet broad, with an undercurrent of well-poised fruit. So much focus and no body, you get a lot of new oak, but it does not overwhelm the wine. Drinking so well, with the backbone to age. Gorgeous on many levels as this unfolds lovingly on your palate. There’s minerality throughout. Drink now - 2035.

5/17/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour. Similar to the ‘22 Mancini where there’s cherry nuance. Typically with all things Piner-Olivet, it’s all about berries. However, in ‘22, there’s cherry. Cherries, cinnamon, bramble berry, elderberry, orange zest and marble. The body is medium, yet a concentration remains. Long, flowing and focused. So unique. I see some ‘11 and a little ‘07, yet this is very individualized. There’s tension and a sappy quality that persists. Perfect acidity. I love the fact that of all of the designated bottles from Russian River Valley/Piner-Olivet for Carlisle, Papera has the greatest concentration of Zinfandel. This truly unfolds with panache. Drink 2027 - 2039.

5/17/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Popped and left open for five hours. Smokey raspberries, tree bark, garrigue, white pepper, sassafras and river rock. Long, flowing and not shy. The body is medium to full, and the middle is plush. Intriguing and beautiful, with satisfying tannins. Staying power. Classy. Deftly made and with fruit that remains elegant throughout. Drink 2026 - 2036.

5/17/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour. Showing so well and open, with a flowing persona. Blackberries, dried lilacs, cassis, wet earth and cedar. Long and well layered. Silky tannins. The finish glides along without a bump. She is amazingly complex, and like the ‘98 is more androgynous. No reason to rush, not to wait. More of a Saint Julian version than Pauillac, as it is right there on the border. This chateau can deliver stunning quality during all strange vintages. Drink now - 2039.

5/17/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for two hours. This has the most addicting nose! Fresh strawberries, petrichor, garrigue, cherry schnapps, fig and crumbling rock. Almost translucent, with so much verve. Possibly the most feminine and pure wine in the Carlisle catalogue. I recently had the ‘13 Rossi Grenache and was surprised by how well it had developed. This will do the same, in only a more stonking fashion. With 24% Mourvèdre, and picked after the massive heatwave of early September 2022, the clean lines and endless finish just draw you in. Only 250 cases produced. This is closer to Rayas than Clos Saint Jean. Silky, layered tannins give way to a gushing palate and round middle. Better than the exquisite ‘19 and ‘21. Drink 2026 - 2038.

5/17/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

I must be perfectly transparent here. Petite Sirah is not one of my favorites. Just like Petite Verdot, I prefer it as a blending grape as it can seem dense, tannic, and one dimensional. However, when you have wine making of this amazingly high quality, you can’t help but to enjoy a delectable wine, which this is. Bramble berry, blueberry, dried tar and flower shop. A medium-long finish and great concentration, yet there is still some lift. Microfiber tannins. Within its drinking window, this will age for at least another ten years. Drink now - 2034.
Day one: delicious
Day two: even more delicious…

5/12/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This will age for a long time, and is lovely at the current moment. Decanted for two hours. Blueberry, tobacco, raspberry, wet stone and some orange. Long, long, long and a medium-to full body. There’s a clean, crispness to it. I would suggest waiting a couple of years, then studying for many. A lot of red berries on the palate. The nuances are very similar to the ‘16, which this was consumed with. Drink 2026 - 2041.

5/12/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

The 2016 Papera by Carlisle should go down in the annals of Zinfandel history as a real wonder. This is not Bordeaux, it is Russian River Valley Zinfandel that is well within its drinking window. Blueberry, tobacco, raspberry, some spice and a crumbling rock aspect. Flower shop as well. Juicy, delicious and not overblown at all. There’s a wonderful beam of freshness and a full body, with no real tannins, which is common for the Piner-Olivet Zinfandels. Carlisle’s Papera does not have all the mixed blacks or any white grapes like Carlisle, Saitone, Mancini and Montafi, as it is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Carignane in 2016. I have enjoyed Carlisle’s Papera since the ‘05 vintage when it was still called Carlo’s Ranch, and this is the best from there. Drink now - 2029.

5/11/2024 - Matt Scott Does not like this wine:

This was not made badly, but it does not resemble Pinot Noir. Ripe red fruit and some floral elements, some oak. There’s residual sugar and no finesse. Too dense. There’s a decent finish. Seems artificial, but still not a bad wine overall. Drink now - 2029.

5/11/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Braised pork, blueberries, camphor, pipe tobacco and flower shop. Full and round, with a stunning middle palate. This is pure infanticide. The tannins are cottony and layered, with this echoing finish that lasts. Right, but still enjoyable and deep. Structured to last for many ensuing years. Great acidity as well as this is wonderfully buttressed. Drink 2029 -.

5/11/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

A revelation in Gamay. There’s the concentration of the vintage, with finesse and stunning fruit. From old vines planted in 1926, this is a brick house designed for the cellar. It offers up a lot of pleasure, but twenty years from now it will be astonishing. Dried strawberries, Irish Spring soap, plums and hot brick. The finish is quite long and the body is very full, with clean lines. A sexy wine that has fine, layered tannins. Better on day two. It is like drinking a barrel sample at this stage. Drink 2030 -.

5/10/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is a meaty exploration… Char-siu pork, lilacs, blueberries, raspberries, chocolate flakes, shallots, grapefruit and walnut shell. The flavors and nuance have developed, and the grapefruit element is very present. Layers that unfold in both the nose and palate. There is this earthy element that continues on. Starting to shed some skin, there are many a year left. Polished tannins and a slight beam of acidity. In a blind tasting I would think that this is Côte-Rôtie with a hint of Santa Barbara county. Such a long finish. I see no reason to rush, nor to wait. Drink now - 2036.

5/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Papaya, dried pineapple, freshly mowed lawn, mineral accents and river rock, with lilies. Fresh, layered and great body. The finish glides along and this has a juicy middle. Fabulous texture and brightness. Drinking very well today and will age effortlessly. So easy to enjoy. Drink now - 2035.

5/4/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Exotic and not shy, with velvety tannins and deft concentration. Long and flowing. Black cherry, hope chest, dried raspberries, plum sauce, Indian spice and chalky rock. Full with body and a round, succulent middle palate. Drinking very well and has the backbone to age with panache. Very modern and very ‘15 - without losing any lift. There’s a slight menthol aftertaste. Drink now - 2036.

4/27/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Stunning body, with an electric edge. Cherry cola, plums, sassafras, wet earth and freesia. Long and gliding, with purpose and poise. There’s fullness and still tension. No hard edges and this mellifluous tendency. Silky tannins. Delightful today and should age well. There’s power and a very Russian River Valley tendency. Drink now - 2034.

4/26/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Whoa. Most gran vinos cannot equal this in terms of enjoyment and overall quality. Extremely balanced and gushingly long, with microfiber tannins and layer upon layer of fruit. Ripe cherries, raspberry, garrigue, char siu pork, lavender, locker room, red spice, Mediterranean herbs and blackberry. Forcefully executed, yet angelic at the same time. The sort of paradox which makes a wondrous vino. This evolves over time and shifts. The body is close to full, yet remains agile. I can only imagine how lovely the Clos Erasmus is. Decant or wait a couple of years. Cottony, crunchy tannins and freshness. Drink 2026 - 2038.

4/26/2024 - Matt Scott wrote:

Well made and a bit much in some aspects, but the finish sails on. Blackberries, cassis, currants and crushed rock. Full with body. If you enjoy ripe, bigger Napa, you will love this. Enjoyable and not meek, with obvious dimension. Velvety tannins. Drink now - 2033.

4/26/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Primal on the nose, with wild plums, red cherries, bramble berries, wild rosemary, hot brick and charred chicken skin. Medium to full in body, with an almost sappy, round middle palate. Flows along without effort and the mouthfeel is clean with elegance. I suspect some stem inclusion. There’s some black lava as well. Ends quite refined. Polished tannins. What a fun, enchanting Mencia. Drink now - 2034.

4/26/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Such a beauty. Medium in body, with a long, flowing finish. Very pretty and not dense at all. Plums, cherries, sandal wood, mineral and white chocolate. Fine tannins and a polished middle. Unfolds with panache. Organically grown fruit. 85% Monastrell and 15% Garnacha. Wonderful value. Drink now - 2032.

4/25/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Noir fruit, salumi, milk chocolate, flower shop and wet earth. Long and panoramic, with layered, silky tannins. Full body with a backend that is polished. Stunning fruit and not in a dumb phase at all; however, this could definitely go the distance. A pure joy. Drink 2026 -.

4/21/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Vibrant and showing obvious depth. Medium to full-bodied, with a salinity and slight viscosity; loaded with purity. Long and focused. Papaya, Meyer lemon, grapefruit and orange blossom. This has cut and remains layered throughout. Such a stunning wine and I would love to taste this next to the alluring ‘18. This will age quite gracefully. A delightful melange of Gruner picked at two different passes, which adds another form of complexity. Drink 2026 - 2038.

4/19/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is holding on like a true champion. The cork was soaked through, but the fill was past the high shoulder. Bricking, this is like an aged burgundy in colour. Mahogany, weathered leather, old library, dried cherries and old tobacco leaf. A medium body with a long, savory finish. There’s some tomato plant at the end. No reason to wait - obviously. No evident tannin, with some fine qualities. Rare and delightful. Drink now -?

4/19/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Tropical notes of papaya and white pineapple, with white stone, acacia, pie crust and lemon. Full-bodied, with a long, lingering finish. Time will not hurt, however, this is delectable today. Plush and some tension. Nay a hard edge to find. This unfolds in a lovely way. Brilliance and shimmer. Drink 2026 - 2038.

4/19/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Starting to show some petrol, there is also apple skin, orange zest, Meyer lemon and mineral for days, with a chalky aspect throughout. Long and piercing, with wonderful, quenching acidity and energy. This will last decades and drinking well now. Drink now -.

4/13/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Tension and vibrancy. So much focus and mineral, with a long, clean finish. Granny Smith apples, minerals, chalk, straw and yeast. Lovely and precise, with gumption and mite. This is fantastic today and will cellar quite well. There’s a lovely key lime accent throughout. Truly a gem and classic in every way. Dry. Drink 2025 -.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Concentrated and full in body, with blueberry cobbler, tar and acacia. A medium finish and not shy, this is a total crowd pleaser. Inky. Tannins with grip and staying power. Broad shouldered. Drink now - 2038.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Blackberries, sous bois, potpourri, incense, river rock and blueberries. Long and deep, this unfolds with attractive, soft textures. Silky tannins and layers of noir fruit. I am reminded yet again how we need more Mourvèdre in Sonoma County. This is so appealing today, yet has the backbone and frame to age without effort. I could see this being glorious twenty years from now. Drink now -.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Holy smoke, Batman! This stunning beauty is loaded with every onomatopoeia imaginable. Bam! Boom!! The middle palate is absolutely magnetic. Usually Mancini is more berry focused, but not this vintage. Cherries jubilee, blood orange, raspberries, soy sauce, fruit cocktail and star fruit. Exceptionally long, with a panoramic palate throughout. I see no reason to wait, nor to rush. The requisite acidity is there, just not as much as in the past. This is just gorgeous. Also, Mancini was planted in 1922. This particular vintage is the 100th anniversary. What a way to celebrate! I can’t wait to indulge in the other ‘22s from the Piner-Oliver ranches. This is forward, yet still retains the finesse one would expect from the modern Carlisle’s. Picked earlier than most years and ‘22 was not kind to many a winery in my ‘hood. However, that was not the case - thus far - for Carlisle. Medium to full-bodied. Drink now - 2036.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

On the same level as the classic Grenache, this is absolutely killer. Raspberry, blackberry, garrigue, oolong tea, root beer and granite. Exceptionally long and medium in body, with microfiber tannins and an enchanting agility. I love the essence and clean fruit, with precise focus. Great balance of depth and acidity. Less concentrated than the wonderful ‘19, but remains quite complex. Drink 2026 - 2036.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Very engaging and loaded with depth, yet agile and elegant. There’s silky tannins and a lovely clarity. Strawberries, orange zest, black cherry, white pepper, plum sauce and flower shop. Pretty. Layer, upon layer that unfolds nicely with a round middle. With 17% Mourvèdre, which adds some weight, this is medium-bodied and has a long finish. Classic and is different from the ‘19, yet very close in quality. Drink 2025 - 2037.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for three hours. Plum sauce, chocolate brownie, freesias, melted licorice, leather and tired art canvass. Long and elegant; with a full body and a chocolate presence. Savory, silky tannins and layers of sexiness. Persona and depth. A long finish. Quite classic and built to age. This unfolds with panache and savior faire. Drink now - 2037.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is absolutely killer. Pear, Midori, wet stone, lemons, lilies, apothecary and jasmine. Long, focused and ends in an expansive manner. The finish sails on and on. This is pure, yet full at the same time. There’s grip on the backend. Lovely body and layers. The ability to age is all there, and this is of course a mere baby. Delicate, but not dainty at all. Drink now - 2038.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Black cherries, mocha, hope chest, black walnuts and cassis. Full in body and has nice curves. Medium-long in length, with a round middle. Quite ready with a prune aftertaste. There’s some green tobacco on the palate. Velvety tannins, and although this is not shy, there’s still the necessary elegance. Drink now - 2030.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Wonderful texture, that is full-bodied and offers the typical Mancini acidity, as the P.H. was in the low 3’s. This flows along with ease. Raspberry, fresh plums, blood orange, teak and nectarine. This unfolds nicely and is of course fresh. Just starting to open up with no signs of fading soon. Another fine ‘18. Drink now - 2032.

3/30/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Absolutely delicious and unfolds with panache. Blueberry, plum, pork shoulder, lilacs, peppercorn, bacon fat and flower shop, with some earthy elements. Clean and full, with a finish that sails on. Wonderful fruit and weight, with layers. The ability to age is all there and opening today is still advised. Polished. Decanted for three hours. Classic and modern at the same time. Drink now -.

3/30/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

A mere baby that still needs to shed some of its fat, the oak is quite evident and the fruit is very primary. This seems more like a barrel sample, yet is very well-crafted. Cherry cola, ripe raspberries, sassafras, dried basil, mint, ground rock and damp earth. Full and long, yet retains a fair amount of elegance. Wait a couple of years, then enjoy for at least a decade. Stunning fruit, and a hybrid between all things Burgundian and full throttle Pinot. Silky tannins and layers of red fruit. Drink 2026 - 2036.

3/29/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Extremely youthful and showing no signs of age, with plums, cranberries, fresh violets, roobios tea and baked walnuts. Concentrated and medium in length, with a full body. Agile tannins and a lively acidity. Drink now - 2032.

3/27/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

With both power and grace, this has velvety tannins and slight oak that is well integrated. Medium body and a long, succinct finish, with great concentration. This is just lovely. Drinking well today, this will age for many, many years. Plums, cherries, chalky mineral, rattan, vanilla and chocolate. Such an attractive aftertaste. Nice lift. Decant for a few hours or wait at least another four years, then follow for many. Drink 2028 -.

3/25/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Absolute perfection. Decanted for three hours. Very Côte Rotie with smoked meat, black pepper and blueberry capote; along with brown spices and slight lilacs. Tertiary nuances abound, and nay a hard edge. The body is full and yet very agile at the same time. Finishes exceptionally long and is a very masculine Syrah from start to finish. A very complete and round middle palate, with slight silky tannins. Black as night, with a gorgeous garnet rim. Up there with Stockholm Syndrome (2010) and the 2019 Eleven Confessions, which were also perfect to my senses. This will evolve for many years, yet will not improve. If you have this, no harm in opening a bottle now…then study for many a year. Drink now -.

3/23/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is absolutely unbelievable. The vines were planted in 2001 and by 2003 they were producing Syrah of this quality. Also, this has aged exceptionally well. Such a siren to all things Syrah. It is really something, there’s smoked meat, peppercorn, blueberries, camphor, hope chest and wet earth. Full with body and a slight silky tannin remains, with a finish that glides along without effort. Drinking well within its window and shall hold on for many years; truly an experience. Not too ponderous, and not too tame. Such a long, satisfying finish. The body is quite full. Drink now - 2033.

3/23/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for four hours. Absolutely mesmerizing. Bing cherries, saddle leather, white pepper, acacia, star fruit, char siu and teak. The red fruit ensconces your palate, and the sheer agility and transparency are suave, sophisticated and gentle. Yet, the finish sails on and on… A medium body and very fine almost silky tannins, with this pure, sappy middle. The honest and angelic fruit has a district and glorious voice. Of course there’s finesse. This bottling is legendary - maybe the best yet. So delightful today and hard to stay away from, this will age without any effort. Decant for a few hours, consume over many days or wait about five years. Drink 2028 -.

3/22/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Loaded with blueberries and cream, vanilla, cranberry, asphalt, Szechuan, milk chocolate and potpourri. Endowed and flowing, with a long finish that shows dark, warm fruit. Primary, but all of the components are in place. Cottony tannins and a well-strewn middle palate. Full-bodied, with a ton of polish. Very similar to Pingus, at 1/30th of the price. This is modern and sleek, with superb fruit from old vines. Amazing. Drink 2025 - 2038.

3/22/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This has cut, freshness and agility. Raspberries, walnut shell, tangelo zest, granite, button mushrooms and fresh leather. Long, precise finish and a fine bean of acidity, this is a mere baby and still shows dimension. Savory tannins and a medium body. Bright and focused. Drink 2027 - 2040.

3/9/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Vibrant and layered, with tension and a salinity throughout. Quince, chalk, golden delicious apple, lilies and chives. Medium long finish, with a full body and a very clean profile. With this being pure and focused. Such a joy that will age without much effort, with complexity. Drink now - 2034.

3/9/2024 - Matt Scott wrote:

Cherries, tobacco, plums, black pepper and granite. Not as complex as one would hope for this particular bottling, but it is in its prime drinking window and offers a medium finish. Plump and barely any tannin. Nice body overall and a great Syrah, but considering the pedigree and price, this is still a little disappointing. Drink now - 2029.

3/8/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Wonderful interaction of intensity and savory aspects. Long and focused, with lychee, apricot, stone, plumeria, golden apple and chalk. Full body, with a gliding manner. Viscous in the front end, then elegant on the back, with a perched, round middle. Such a treat and ideal for many a cuisine. Drink now - 2030.

3/8/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is zesty and has full tension, with a lovely, complex mousse. Length for days. Almond cookies, freesia, grapefruit, graphite, pain grille, Meyer lemon and raspberry. Evidently complex on the nose and equally so on the palate. Such a stunning body and presence, this unfolds with panache. Possibly my favorite NV yet, this has focus and stuffing. Medium body. Drink now - 2039.