2011 Carlisle Syrah Sierra Mar Vineyard
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Tasting notes
More smoke, tar and licorice show up in the 2011 Syrah Sierra Mar Vineyard with more lavender and black olive emerging with time in the glass. Rich, decadent and voluptuous, with big structure, it’s not quite as backwards or formidable as the Rosella’s, with more overall ripeness, and should be approachable at an earlier age. Nevertheless, 2-3 years of bottle age are recommended and it should cruise for 10-12 years after the vintage. Drink 2015-2021+. This was a formidable, structured set of wines by proprietor Mike Officer. Firm and tannic, they’re incredibly impressive, just not that much fun to drink at the moment. They’ll handsomely reward cellar time and are highly recommended. Tel. (707) 566-7700; www.carlislewinery.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A super ripe, racy wine 2011 Syrah Sierra Mar Vineyard bursts from the glass in fifth gear. Dark black fruit, tar, licorice and smoke are among the bevy of aromas and flavors that emerge from this huge, full-bodied wine. Not a wine for the timid, the 2011 Sierra Mar is super-intense and breathtakingly beautiful. It is another promising wine from this newly developed site.
(made with a third whole clusters and 30% new oak): Bright purple. Exotic, smoke- and spice-laced dark berry aromas show impressive power and clarity. Offers an array of sweet black and blue fruit flavors and notes of allspice and licorice that gain intensity with air. Chewy, penetrating and precise, with excellent finishing cut and spicy persistence.