From the vineyard formerly known as “Tom Feeney Ranch.”
15.4% alcohol. 240 cases produced.
Medium dark ruby red. The nose is remarkably expressive and lush - rasberries and spice. Lush and plush on the palate as well - layer upon layer of rasberries with a hint of black cherry and cranberry. No hint of alcohol. Great balance and absolutely delicious. A long-lingering aftertaste.
This is Carlisle at its very best, rockin’ and sockin’, a twelve-cylinder, turbo-charged joyride down a silk road. I always expect excellence from Mike O., but this exceeded expectations. 95 points.
Personally, I love love love this wine, consider it one of Mike’s most enjoyable offerings. But at a Carlisle dinner with Sr. Officer himself back in May (I think, but I’m going senile), the 2007 was the crowd favorite while this was considered too candied and over the top. Pshaw, I said, but was outvoted. Still, this rocks my boat and am glad to see I’m not alone.
That said, the 2007 will be smokin’ starting next year…
I am not certain this wine will appeal to the older world focused Zin crowd. I don’t like my Zins aged or in that style even so I too will echo the comments above and concur that I did like this wine when we had it, as noted below. I have one left and I think we will drink it before the end of the year. Mike, yes, layered and lush, for sure.
2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch- USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/20/2009) The OC Blind Crew (The Winery Restaurant In Tustin, CA): Well, I can see why so many people who are into zinfandel like this wine so much. I had not tasted any since my order arrived so it was a thrill to get this wine blind and take a run at it without the label staring at me. Yes, there is a fair amount of oak on the nose IMO but once through that, lots of juicy blue and black fruit, some richness and just pure, pure, pure. Just beautiful and silky, with some structure even to boot. I’d say Mike really hit the home run on this bottling. WOTF.
I believe that the next Carlisle shipment will be coming out later this month or early next. This wine reminded me of the two things that Mike Officer does as well or better than anyone:
Seemlessly integrates in-your-face fruit power with rich, silky finesse - and in the process makes the relatively high alcohol in his wines virtually undetectable.
Delivers absolute world-class value from California’s North Coast.
He’s not too shabby on the customer service side either.
Last night’s Two Acres was outstanding as well. Nose was a dead ringer for a young Southern Rhone. Massive fruit and expansive palate…a really great, food friendly wine. We sucked it down so fast that I had to open a bottle of '06 Novy Susan’s Hill Syrah for a backup.
Dildine, you were talking about Montafi way back a decade ago. You and others have continued to champion California wines, especially old vine Zinfandel, with Mike as one of its key advocates. I still buy these wines today, having did my Carlisle order just this week. A decade ago, I visited Mike, as I often have over many years since, and in 2009, we created some memories below. Good on you Mr Officer for continuing to find your way, make great wines from 100 year old vines and do it with a passion.
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