Carlisle Bedrock Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, USA

卡爾麗絲基巖園仙粉黛干紅葡萄酒

點擊次數：3645

The 2017 Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1888 and is a blend of 94% Zinfandel (with other black varieties interplanted), 3% Mourvèdre and 2% Petite Sirah. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and features scents of blueberry coulis, dark chocolate, redcurrant and spiced black cherries with warm earth, citrus peel, herbs and floral notes. The palate is light to medium-bodied and restrained with firm, slightly chewy tannins and good freshness, finishing long with warm, spicy fruits. 221 cases produced.

The 2015 Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard, from that ancient site belonging to Morgan Peterson, is 89% Zinfandel and 11% mixed black varieties. This is an easygoing, lush, silky textured, round and juicy Zinfandel with plenty of sucrosity, but it finishes dry. Ripe raspberry and black cherry fruit along with some earth, truffle and creosote are striking. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.

I’ll just briefly summarize the 2014s. It was the earliest vintage ever for Mike Officer and probably he’ll beat that early harvest record in 2015. In this case, he was finished by October 6, which was a first, and it will be interesting to see if he eclipses that in 2015, which was looking even earlier. The production levels were relatively abundant for Mike Officer and the wines fruit-forward, although softer and less reserved than some of the 2013s. While not quite as opaque in color, they are loaded with fruit, supple and luscious. The only white wine, the Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard, makes an appearance in 2014, and it’s another beauty – it’s crisp and the only wine in bottle. The other wines all stood out and will, no doubt, merit outstanding ratings across the board for their intensity, richness, and full-bodied power. If you already know what Mike Officer does, and the style of his wines, you won’t be disappointed in his 2014s. You may even like them as much as any vintage, given the fact that this year shows a lot of up-front fruit and charm.

A blend of 97% Zinfandel and 3% mixed blacks, the 2012 Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard offers briary, raspberry and black cherry notes. This earthy, peppery, spicy, medium to full-bodied Zinfandel possesses good acidity and headiness. It’s a big boy at 15.5% natural alcohol, and was aged in French oak, 22% of which was new. Drink now-2020.

The 2011 Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard comes across as quite soft, polished and accessible. In 2011, the Bedrock stands out for its accessible personality. It isn’t as big as in some years, but its balance is impeccable. Hints of tobacco, smoke and licorice wrap around the juicy, expressive finish. Today, my impression is that the 2011 is best enjoyed over the next handful of years, as it comes across as just a bit on the frail side. The Bedrock is roughly 92% Zinfandel and 8% mixed blacks, from a site planted in 1888. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. Proprietor Mike Officer arrived with a bevy of wines for our tasting, all of which I was thrilled to sample. Readers who don’t think terroir exists in California should check out the Carlisle Zinfandels and Syrahs, many of which emerge from old-vine, heritage sites that nearly disappeared until Officer and some of his peers rescued them from the brink of oblivion. In particular, the 2011 Zinfandels are fabulous. Officer describes 2011 as a very late harvest. The Syrahs were all picked after the rains, while the thinner-skinned Zinfandels naturally came in quite a bit earlier. Officer told me he performed a severe selection of fruit that took with it a full 50% of the production. For his efforts, Officer has been rewarded with a set of gorgeous wines, although I imagine his faithful clientele won’t be too thrilled with the lower production levels of these wines, given their already minuscule production. Unfortunately, 2011 Compagni Portis and Gruner Veltliner were to be bottled right after this tasting, so I will have to wait until another opportunity to sample those wines. Carlisle is resolute in keeping his wines affordable, a commendable approach I wish were more common throughout California. Tel. (707) 566-7700