Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County

Carlisle

Other · Zinfandel
Sign in to rate Create your cellar
Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
91 /100
Reviews
23
professional

Vintages

1
2020 Other 91/100
Zinfandel
NV

Community Reviews

25
25
Reviews
91.0
Avg Score
92
Highest
Taster #3542 · Jan 15, 2026
90/100
fruit forward dark raspberry, briar and currants. black pepper at terminal palate. not sure about longterm aging- nice now
2020 vintage
Taster #3923 · Dec 20, 2025
89/100
Translucent cherry red. Spicy raspberry aroma. Smooth and bright on the palate. Cherries, raspberries, faint hint of anise. Very fine tannins, light, lovely acidity. Excellent balance. Anise note is more prominent on the mid-palate. Finishes long and gradual with blueberry and spice. Not as intense and complex as most Carlisle Zins. Drink next 2 to 3 years.
2020 vintage
Taster #9892 · Aug 30, 2025
92/100
Beautiful clean fruit nose with a hint of mint Dark bramble berry fruit, spicey and vanilla notes Excellent acid/fruit balance Fantastic length
2020 vintage
Taster #9892 · Apr 21, 2025
90/100
Blueberry nose Blueberry, tar, vanilla and plum Luscious fruit, clean
2020 vintage
Taster #4929 · Mar 23, 2025
92/100
Hard to believe this is their entry zin. Really nice right out of the bottle. Excellent qpr at $25.
2020 vintage
Taster #3923 · Mar 11, 2025
92/100
Bright, translucent cherry red color. Bright, cheerful berry nose. Slightly plush and soft on the palate. raspberry, blueberry, cherry, soft spice. Fine, sweet tannins, lovely acidity, excellent balance. Finishes long, bright and red-fruited. Lovely Zin. Drink next 3 years. It could go longer (most Carlisle Zins do), but you want to drink this one for that bright, young fruit.
2020 vintage
Taster #7451 · Feb 12, 2025
92/100
Amazing QPR
2020 vintage
Taster #5522 · Feb 11, 2025
91/100
A fantastic QPR
2020 vintage
Taster #9791 · Nov 9, 2024
91/100
I didn’t take a note on my first bottle which would have been around 2022, but this has filled in nicely and a strong testament to MO’s wizardry skills with Zin.
2020 vintage
Taster #7352 · Oct 5, 2024
92/100
Crimson in color. 15% ABV. Sublime nose of red fruits, citrus, anise and pepper. Medium body with perfect acidity and balance. Packed with bright, juicy fruits. Cherry, raspberry, blood orange and earth on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Beguiling Zinfandel that is ready to drink and in the conversation for the best vintage of the esteemed Sonoma County bottling. Drink over the next 1-2 years.
2020 vintage
Taster #3923 · Sep 22, 2024
92/100
Translucent cherry red. Blackberry aromas on the nose. Precise and firm on the palate, blackberry, cherry, eucalyptus. Bit primary but still lovely. Undertones of dark fruit and spice develop with air. Firm tannins, could stand to soften a bit. Excellent acidity and balance. Finishes long with bramble fruits and spice. Classic Zin. Drink next 6 years.
2020 vintage
Taster #4482 · Jul 18, 2024
91/100
Points: my score as the 57th reviewer slightly nudges up the average. Points are deceptive, in that this Appellation designated wine, not one of Carlisle's Vineyard designated wines, could be, but this absolutely should not be dismissed by discriminating wine tasters, you know, by guys like you. This is stellar Zinfandel. Smooth, bordering on opulent (which is a wonderful quality) but nonetheless balanced. In other words, I'm not sure the points adequately measure or define this satisfying and wonderful wine.
2020 vintage
Taster #2682 · Apr 29, 2024
92/100
Aerated with a Vinturi. Nose of black cherry, black raspberry, vanilla, bramble and spice. Black cherry, black raspberry, vanilla, bramble and spice on the palate. Very long finish. Medium to full bodied. Very good QPR. Served with pepperoni pizza.
2020 vintage
Taster #2659 · Jan 14, 2024
Quick note: fruit forward dark raspberry and currants. Hint of black pepper.
2020 vintage
Taster #5227 · Dec 24, 2023
90/100
It is possible this wine might show a little improvement with more aging. However, the fact this wine exists and performs as well as it does, given the fire and weather challenges, is a tribute to Carlisle.
2020 vintage
Taster #7352 · Nov 10, 2023
92/100
Bright crimson in color. 15% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, citrus and pepper. Medium body with mouth watering acidity. There is an abundance of bright, earthy fruits. Exceptional balance. Strawberry, cranberry, blood orange and pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Delicious Zinfandel and potentially the best Sonoma County to date. The pedigree of the fruit shines through. Best over the next 2-4 years.
2020 vintage
Taster #9892 · Oct 31, 2023
90/100
Mint, dark fruit nose Blueberry plum tar cherry Long finish with good acid backbone
2020 vintage
Taster #8811 · Oct 31, 2023
90/100
Pop and pour. Aromas of boysenberry, wild cherry, huckleberry, blueberry and currant. Flavors of cherry, boysenberry, raspberry, cranberry and pepper. Ends with a nice 15-20 second finish with blue and red fruit notes.
2020 vintage
Taster #6909 · Oct 16, 2023
Similar to previous notes. Good acid, red fruit, freshness and lift, doesn't come across as 15%. Great Sonoma Zin.
2020 vintage
Taster #1432 · Aug 9, 2023
91/100
The Sonoma county Zin is coming along nicely. Translucent ruby color. Bright cherry/red berry fruit and soft tannins.
2020 vintage
Taster #3266 · Jul 12, 2023
91/100
A nose of bold sweet black cherry and spice, dark garnet in color. A full bodied Zin, with black cherry and smoky peppery flavors, jammy with a long finish. Always good every year. www.winelx.com
2020 vintage
Taster #1789 · Jun 3, 2023
89/100
2 hour slow ox. Nose: Perfumed, sweet red fruit aromas. Palate: Sweet red fruits with medium acidity and a clean finish. I would recommend at least a slow ox if not a decant on this wine. In addition I like to give these 15+ % alc monsters a bit of time in the fridge to offset the alc heat. Agree w/ others that this is not the best vintage of this wine but it still has appeal with some air. …
2020 vintage
Taster #7729 · May 21, 2023
91/100
Rich dark red fruit nicely harmonized as excellent blend.
2020 vintage
Taster #2682 · May 12, 2023
92/100
Coravin by the glass. Aromas of red raspberry, bramble and spice. Red raspberry, tangerine, red licorice, bramble and spice on the palate. Long finish. Medium to full bodied. An excellent QPR. Served with cheese pizza.
2020 vintage
Taster #7729 · May 4, 2023
91/100
Nice multifield blended old vine taste which has floral notes with rich deep red fruit.
2020 vintage