2012 Carlisle Zinfandel DuPratt Vineyard

The 2012 Zinfandel Dupratt Vineyard is simply magnificent. Polished and impeccably refined, the 2012 is a wine of detail and finesse. Here the flavors are sweet and perfumed, with Pinot-like overtones that dominate. The overall impression is of total grace. In 2012 this cool, high-altitude site yielded a Zinfandel of gorgeous elegance.

The knock-out 2012 Zinfandel DuPratt Vineyard from the Mendocino Ridge AVA comes from an old vine vineyard planted at a 1,600 foot elevation. Officer told me this is an extremely cold site, and the acids can remain high despite a late harvest. This wine is beautifully balanced with 15.4% alcohol as well as lots of blueberry and black raspberry fruit, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel and, again, the hallmarks of Officer’s winemaking – purity, texture and enormous hedonistic appeal. Most readers are familiar with the Hayne Vineyard, which Larry Turley of Turley Cellars made famous with his Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. 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