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 Piner-Olivet Ranches bottling is a relatively new Zinfandel in the Carlisle portfolio. The wine is a blend of vineyards near the intersection of Piner and Olivet in the Russian River Valley.
Crimson in color. 15% ABV. Charming nose of red fruits, citrus, baking spices and flowers. Medium body with perfect acidity. Light, fresh and well balanced. Cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange and earth on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Delicious, elegant Zinfandel from a treasure trove of historic sites including Papera Ranch and Carlisle Vineyard. Best over the next several years.
My rating: 94 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.