Carlisle Winery & Vineyards - Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard 2021 (750ml)

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Producer	Carlisle Winery & Vineyards
Country	United States
Region	California - Sonoma County
Subregion	Russian River Valley
Varietal	Zinfandel Blend
Vintage	2021
Sku	39077
Size	750ml

  

JD

97

V

94-96

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards, founded in 1998 by self-taught home winemakers Mike and Kendall Officer, specializes in producing small-lot, world-class wines from exceptional California vineyards. Focusing on Zinfandel and Rhone-based varieties, they source fruit from some of Sonoma County's finest old-vine vineyards, including their flagship Carlisle Vineyard, planted in the 1920s. Mike Officer made his mark with Zinfandel and Syrah from premier locations in Dry Creek, Russian River, and Alexander Valley. Carlisle's wines are known for their distinctive sense of place, layered fruit flavors, and balancing acidity. The winery's approach emphasizes minimal intervention, relying on uninoculated fermentations and limited use of new oak to produce wines that remain true to their vintage and vineyard origins.

The 2021 Russian River Valley "Carlisle Vineyard" Zinfandel is a field blend from Carlisle Winery's estate vineyard, planted in 1927. It consists of 87% Zinfandel and 13% mixed black varieties, including Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Peloursin, Trousseau noir, Tempranillo, Carignan, Muscadelle, Malvasia, Muscat, Clairette blanche, and 28 other varieties. Despite drought conditions, 2021 yielded a successful harvest, with production tying a 25-year high. The winemaking process involved multiple picking passes, cold soaking, and extended skin contact, with 19% new French oak used. The resulting wine is described as intensely fruited and food-friendly, featuring aromas of raspberries and blood orange, with a full-bodied palate rich in red berry and cherry flavors. Boasting juicy acidity and a long finish, this Zinfandel is enjoyable upon release and is expected to age well through 2033. Only 760 cases were produced for this vintage. 

Tons of auxiliary grapes go into the 2021 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, which is deep red and ripe with cassis, cedar, bourbon spices, and peppercorn. Full-bodied, with both richness and an angular structure as well as silky fruit to balance it nicely, it offers notes of ripe red plum and black cherry, baking spices, mocha, and warming earth and is long on the palate. Drink 2024-2034.

The 2021 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard is another dazzling wine in this range. Sweet red/purplish fruit, blood orange, spice, mint, rose petal and lavender are all wonderfully alive. This pliant, racy Zinfandel-based field blend (with 13% mixed blacks) is an absolute gem. Time in the glass really allows the layers to open.