2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard

From Morgan's home vineyard, the 2016 Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard checks in as 98% Zinfandel and 2% Mourvèdre that was all destemmed and spent 16 months in 18% new French oak. It has a fresh, focused, classy style as well as textbook spiced plum, cedar, and brambly herb aromas and flavors. Fresh and elegant are the buzz words here, and it has good balance without a huge amount of fat. Drink it over the coming 6-7 years. Winemakers Mike Officer and Jay Maddox have hit pay dirt with these latest 2016s and across the board, they’re the finest set of releases I’ve tasted from this estate. While Mike’s wines are always deeply colored and powerful, the more elegant, balanced style of the 2016 vintage is front and center and these 2016s just glide over the palate, with perfectly integrated fruit, tannin, and acidity. In addition, most are approachable today given their purity of fruit, yet they’re going to evolve beautifully on their balance. Hats off to the team here and readers should not miss these wines!