OG California Field Blend Goodness… inky black with waves of Ripe blackberry bramble, cherry, and a touch of smoke. I fell in love with these hyperbolic field blends 30 years ago. Rice, ripe, smooth, with s hint of green stem and leafy forest flooor. I forgot just how these wines scratch my zin/oak/mid-weight itch. I am making my response to find more… — 2 years ago
This got buried behind a myriad of whites on Xmas eve, 3 days later this thing is crazy good. All the blacks and blues you’re looking for, with an almost candied quality. Perfectly balanced and a super long finish. Fun now, prob awesome is another 10 years. — 4 years ago
Reminiscent of the Petite Syrah with added dark fruit and oak. Just really enjoying the Mixed Black this vintage. — 5 months ago
Old-vine mixed varietal block from just west of Calistoga. Dark fruits and full bodied.  — a year ago
The 2018 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard is even better from bottle than it was from tank last year. What a wine! In 2018, the Carlisle Zinfandel is off the charts. Exotic floral notes, crushed red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers give the 2018 magnificent inner sweetness and perfume that just gains in intensity with time in the glass. The blend of 86% Zinfandel and 14% Mixed Blacks works so well. For readers who want to know why 2018 is so magical in the Russian River and Sonoma more broadly, the 2018 Carlisle pretty much sums it up. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 4 years ago
These grapes have very visible tannins (on the back of the tongue. ) After a bit, dark fruit will take hold. — 3 years ago
Stunning maturity in the cellar - concentration of brambled fruit - reds/blacks. A touch of spice from the oak. No substitute for complex hot summer fruit. Holding out much better than the 2007 hot vintage. This is consistent with the stunning 2010 Merlot that M. Finot made.  — 4 years ago
Sparkling Shiraz is a tradition on Christmas Day in Australia and is a great match with Roast Turkey and Baked Glazed Ham. A foamy mousse amongst the dark Ruby red colour. Aromas of blackberry plum and spices. A wonderful palate - sweet and rich with soft velvety tannins. Plenty of life and freshness with red and black fruits. Just plain delicious. My only bottle sadly and I hope I have the willpower to leave my 2004 until next Christmas. These Rockford Blacks are rare birds even in Australia. Disgorged 2002. Postscript: Only purchased in mid 2020 from a private cellar. — 4 years ago
Jason Phillips
Dark and complex. Varietal blend of Grenache, Syrah, Petit Syrah, Mourverde, and Viogneir. An excellent winemaker’s brilliant recipe. — 2 months ago