2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard emerges from one of the warmer sites Carlisle works with. All of that intensity comes through in a big, dramatic wine endowed with serious presence, intensity and tannic heft. Black cherries, menthol, tar, licorice and smoke hit the palate in a big wine that shows the virile side of Zinfandel. The Bedrock is not especially polished, subtle or refined, but it sure is distinctive.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
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.