2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(includes 6% grand noir; 15.3% alcohol): Opaque purple. Smoky dark berries and floral oils on the deeply perfumed nose. Energetic black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by smoky minerality and a hint of candied licorice. Supple tannins add shape and gentle grip to the plush dark fruit liqueur flavors, which gain spiciness and depth on the finish. This fruit-driven but structured wine should evolve positively for at least another decade.
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
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Pomegranate, iron, smoke, tobacco and orange peel all meld together in the 2012 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard. All the elements fall into place in firm, intense mountain Zinfandel loaded with class and pedigree. Today, the Monte Rosso comes across as one of the more raw, unformed wines in this lineup. The blend is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Grand Noir.
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