Carlisle Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, USA

卡爾麗絲蒙特羅索園仙粉黛干紅葡萄酒

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：1933

The 2013 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard was fashioned from ancient vines planted at 1,000-foot elevation in 1886. It possesses a dark ruby/plum color, crisp acidity (rather remarkable), surprising tartness, and a medium-bodied mouthfeel despite the fact it achieved nearly 16% natural alcohol. One of the earliest of these Zinfandel cuvées to achieve full ripeness, this 2013 was still somewhat gnarly and acidic when I tasted it, so I suspect my score is conservative compared to the way it will taste in a year. Drink 2015-2022.

From a famous site planted in 1886, the 2012 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard is composed of 94% Zinfandel and 6% Grand Noir, and achieved 15.3% natural alcohol. Made with a Pinot Noir-like sensitivity, fully destemmed and to be bottled unfined and unfiltered (as all these wines will be), this lovely, berry-scented 2012 offers notes of loamy soil, pepper, spice, black cherries and black raspberries. It is not the biggest or most concentrated of these 2012s, but it has undeniable elegance. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. Carlisle Winery’s Mike Officer and his wife are one of the wonderful stories in the wine world. Going from a part-time home winemaker, to turning out some of his beloved Zinfandels, to becoming one of the two or three leading guardians of old vine Zinfandel in Northern California, Mike Officer was so good at making wine that he changed careers and wine consumers are the beneficiaries. The single vineyard Zins are absolutely remarkable. Everyone who loves Zinfandel should be on Carlisle’s mailing list, the wines are primarily available only from the winery. Sadly, Mike Officer is not making as much Syrah as he used to given the difficult marketplace for this varietal. That’s a shame, as great Syrahs are truly magnificent wines. Tel. (707) 566-7700

The 2011 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard is surprisingly soft and supple for a wine from this historic hillside vineyard. The dark, charred, mineral-laden notes that are typical of this site are present, but very much in the background today. The 2011 surprises for its juiciness, which nearly covers the mountain tannins. Blue and black fruits, cloves, violets and camphor add complexity on the plush, inviting finish. The 2011 appears to have at least good mid-term aging potential. It is yet another standout in a portfolio full of highlights. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 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

The 2011 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard is surprisingly soft and supple for a wine from this historic hillside vineyard. The dark, charred, mineral-laden notes that are typical of this site are present, but very much in the background today. The 2011 surprises for its juiciness, which nearly covers the mountain tannins. Blue and black fruits, cloves, violets and camphor add complexity on the plush, inviting finish. The 2011 appears to have at least good mid-term aging potential. It is yet another standout in a portfolio full of highlights. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 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

The 2010 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard is a fabulous example of this heritage California variety as captured in one of the state’s top sites. Sweet, dark and imposing, the 2010 boasts stunning depth and concentration. Firm mountain tannins frame the huge, enveloping finish. From start to finish the Monte Rosso is pure distinction and class. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 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