Tried this Sat w/ Susan after the TJ's Zin sucked so much:
1. Carlisle Syrah SierraMarVnyd/SantaLuciaHighlands (15.8%; 200 cs) 2012: Black color; intense boysenberry/blackberry/Syrah/very spicy some herbal/rosemary/thyme bit toasty/oak beautiful/perfumed nose; bit tart very intense blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah/licorice light toasty/oak some herbal/rosemary/pungent slight hot/alcoholic flavor w/ ample soft/ripe tannins; very long lush/ripe blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah/licorice some herbal/thyme finish w/ ample soft/ripe tannins; loads of intense ripe Syrah fruit w/ the distinctive SLH herbal signature; needs more age.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. When I first opened this, it was a bit warm and the alcohol was pretty obvious. I gave it a slight chill and that beat down the heat considerably. Like most of Mike's wine; they are on the ripe side, yet don't show any signs of overripe or pruney or late harvesty character. Don't know how he does it.
Tom