2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Martinelli Road Vineyard

Deep ruby. Powerful, smoke- and vanilla-accented aromas of candied red fruits and fresh flowers, with a peppery topnote. Rich but juicy and surprisingly animated on the palate, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that are lifted and sharpened by tangy acidity. Slow-building tannins give shape to the persistent finish, which strongly echoes the raspberry note.

From a site planted in 1880, the 2011 Zinfandel Martinelli Road Vineyard jumps from the glass with a burst of sweet red cherries, flowers and mint. Ripe, silky tannins lend an element of total grace and exquisite overall harmony. In 2011 the Martinelli Road is impeccably polished. Floral notes give the finish an attractive lifted quality that is undeniably appealing. This is dazzling! 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