Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s. Mike recently announced his retirement and subsequently 2024 will be the last vintage of wines produced by Carlisle.
The 2020 Sonoma County is sourced from some of the best sites in the valley. Predominantly Pagani with smaller amounts from Papera, Old Hill, Carlisle and Bedrock.
Crimson in color. 15% ABV. Sublime nose of red fruits, citrus, anise and pepper. Medium body with perfect acidity and balance. Packed with bright, juicy fruits. Cherry, raspberry, blood orange and earth on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Beguiling Zinfandel that is ready to drink and in the conversation for the best vintage of the esteemed Sonoma County bottling. Drink over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 92 points.
I can make an argument that Carlisle is the best Zinfandel producer in the state of California. Current vintages of the various Carlisle wines are available via the mailing list, which is exceptionally long. Several retail outlets in California stock Carlisle, but you need to check with them at the time the winery releases their wines in the Spring and Fall.