Carlisle Winery Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2002

Ok. Now this is Zin! Every once in a while I find I have to satisfy my need for quality wine. And Zinfandel is no exception. While there are fewer high end Zins then Pinot or Cab, there are some producers that make outstanding stuff. Mike Officer, owner and winemaker for Carlisle Winery & Vineyards and his wife Kendall are two people that strive for the best in what they do.

While Zinfandel, in my mind, is what they made a reputation on, they also supply Syrah, Petit Syrah, several blends like the "Two Acres" and some strange bird called "Mondeuse". A grape found mostly in Europe. (It may also be a hybrid of a Mongoose and Dr. Seuss. But that's another story.)

What makes his Zin so special? Deep dark concentration, smooth taste and finish, wonderful full flavor, and of course the incredible nose. There is no mistaking a Carlisle Zinfandel. His signature expression of Zin includes Petite Syrah for color and body in the Dry Creek Zin, or Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Carignane, which he has growing in his vineyards along side the Zinfandel vines for his Carlisle Vinyard Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir de la Calmette, in his Tom Feeney Ranch Zinfandel. All this variety, (and great winemaking!) make a Zinfandel that one whiff says Carlisle.

His winery produces something over 1000 cases of wine a year but the majority is sold by mail order or from his website mailing list. While not cheap by anyones standard, his wines are not expensive when compared to Napa Cab or quality Pinot Noir.

If you see it in the store you owe it to yourself to try a bottle. You will not be disappointed!

(All pictures stolen from the Carlisle Winery & Vineyards website. Forgive me Mike for I have zinned... ;-)