Carlisle "Carlisle Vineyard" Zinfandel 2006

Wanted a good bottle after what felt like a long week. This delivered. Though I've found Carlisle's 06 zins less impressive than other vintages, I thought this was really good. Not too hot. Nice mix of fruit and earth (weird for a Zin) but thought it worked well. I think these are probably my favorite single vineyard Carlisle zins.

Rhys Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2007

This was fantastic. Sea brine and citrus on the nose. Pretty zingy on the palate. Definitely some oak on the palate too, which strangely became more pronounced the second day. Ms. Capitol Hill Wino loved it. Wish we had more than one bottle left.

Kutch McDougall Ranch Pinot Noir 2006

Wanted to like this more than I did. Pretty ripe. Darker cherry fruit on the nose and palate. I know Kutch changed styles in 2007 (or 2008?) so perhaps I should give them another go but they do cost quite a bit.

Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah 2007

First of four bottles we purchased on discount. Nice bigger California style Syrah. More dark fruit than pepper or spice. Not too hot which I appreciate.

Carlisle Montafi Ranch Zinfandel 2007

Very good. Lots of fruit. A bit of heat. Probably better in six months but perhaps not worth the risk that the alcohol would overwhelm the fruit at that point. Bigger than most Carlisle Zins, which is saying something.

Cabot Kimberly's Syrah 2006

This was fantastic. Much better than the last time we had it. Syrah from Humboldt County is new to us. Definitely some pepper on the nose and some gamey notes on the palate. More like a northern rhone than a southern I'd say.

Carlisle Three Birds 2008

Very nice rhone-ish blend. Drank a bit too early but our power was out and there was a big storm outside so why not. A bit more minerally and lighter than the normal Carlisle syrahs (and syrah based blends).

Inman Family Thorn Road Ranch Pinot Noir 2006

I thought this was pretty good. Also on closeout. MAJ thought it wasn't as complex as a Rivers Marie and I'd agree. Still enjoyed it though.

Carlisle Two Acres 2006

Carlisle Papera Ranch Zinfandel 2007

After trying the 07 carignane we decided to try the zinfandel. Fantastic stuff.

Rivers Marie Theriot Vineyard Chardonnay 2008

We don't drink a lot of Chardonnay but this was really good. Not too oaky. More acidity than most Cali chards we drink. Some lemon curd and pineapple on the nose. Nice minerally feel on the palate.

Carlisle Papera Ranch Carignane 2007

Interesting wine. A first for Carlisle I believe. Had some carignane from France before but never from California. Very racy acidity which requires food to appreciate fully I think. FYI, Carlisle's zin from Papera Ranch is fantastic.

Inman Family Russian River Family Pinot Noir 2006

Very good pinot for the price. Got on closeout. Served at our housewarming and had a bottle left.

Rivers Marie Occidental Ridge Pinot Noir 2006

last bottle; nose of tart red cherry and some of that telltale rm grapefruit/citrus; heavier and a bit of oak on the mid palate; juicy finish

Rivers Marie Occidental Ridge Pinot Noir 2007

Bedrock Wine Co Ode to Lulu Rose 2009

Heard good things about Bedrock. Winemaker is son of Ravenswood proprietor. Unfortunately, this Rose was too hot (alcohol-wise) to enjoy it too much. A bit overblown.

Two Hands Charlie's Patch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Not quite as good as the 2006 we had last year. Unsure if that's just because it was too young. Seemed a bit too ripe. Still a TRB identifiable wine though, which is a good thing.

McHenry Estate Pinot Noir 2005

Enjoyed in SF

Carlisle "Carlisle Vineyard" Zinfandel 2005

Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006

dark cherry nose but still with some heat, almost caramely? baking flavors; very rich palate, almost creamy, some oak for sure; better on its own than with food; MAJ likes it; weird buttery nose for a red