2014 Carlisle

2014 Carlisle
We try a lot of wines before buying them, or sometimes we wait for a professional critic to review a wine before buying and often that is a good idea for us and our customers. I will usually ask a sales rep to bring a sample to taste if a wine is switching vintages or if a wine is new to the market. Carlisle however is a different story, I buy all that is offered to me as soon as it is offered (we recommend you do the same). Whether it is scored yet our not, the score is coming and being Carlisle it will be high. I haven't tried it yet, but I will be buying a bottle to take home and enjoy over the course of an evening. Don't hesitate to buy these wines year after year as you will be rewarded either in time or tonight. -- Aaron

2014 Carlisle Rossi Ranch Zinfandel...$47.99
A very worthy follow-up to the otherworldly 2013, Phil Coturri and his peeps continue to work their mojo on these now 105-year-old vines. Picked October 6th, this was the last lot of the year. The fruit was fully destemmed and cold soaked for 6 days before indigenous fermentation began. Pressed on October 21st to all French oak, 13% new, and bottled unfined.
Tasting Note: Medium-dark to dark ruby-purple. Piercing aromas of macerated cherries and raspberries with hints of white pepper and bramble (the typical Rossi garrigue). Full-bodied on the palate with a pleasing creaminess, flavors of boysenberry and peppery spice persist through the long and gently tannic finish. Enjoy this organically-farmed Zinfandel between late 2016 and 2024.


2014 Carlisle Montafi Ranch Zinfandel... $46.99
I’ll just briefly summarize the 2014s. It was the earliest vintage ever for Mike Officer and probably he’ll beat that early harvest record in 2015. In this case, he was finished by October 6, which was a first, and it will be interesting to see if he eclipses that in 2015, which was looking even earlier. The production levels were relatively abundant for Mike Officer and the wines fruit-forward, although softer and less reserved than some of the 2013s. While not quite as opaque in color, they are loaded with fruit, supple and luscious. The only white wine, the Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard, makes an appearance in 2014, and it’s another beauty – it’s crisp and the only wine in bottle. The other wines all stood out and will, no doubt, merit outstanding ratings across the board for their intensity, richness, and full-bodied power. If you already know what Mike Officer does, and the style of his wines, you won’t be disappointed in his 2014s. You may even like them as much as any vintage, given the fact that this year shows a lot of up-front fruit and charm.
Rated 93-95/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate


2014 Carlisle Petit Sirah Palisaes Vineyard...$49.99
I’ll just briefly summarize the 2014s. It was the earliest vintage ever for Mike Officer and probably he’ll beat that early harvest record in 2015. In this case, he was finished by October 6, which was a first, and it will be interesting to see if he eclipses that in 2015, which was looking even earlier. The production levels were relatively abundant for Mike Officer and the wines fruit-forward, although softer and less reserved than some of the 2013s. While not quite as opaque in color, they are loaded with fruit, supple and luscious. The only white wine, the Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard, makes an appearance in 2014, and it’s another beauty – it’s crisp and the only wine in bottle. The other wines all stood out and will, no doubt, merit outstanding ratings across the board for their intensity, richness, and full-bodied power. If you already know what Mike Officer does, and the style of his wines, you won’t be disappointed in his 2014s. You may even like them as much as any vintage, given the fact that this year shows a lot of up-front fruit and charm.
Rated 95-97/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate


2014 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block... $43.99
I’ll just briefly summarize the 2014s. It was the earliest vintage ever for Mike Officer and probably he’ll beat that early harvest record in 2015. In this case, he was finished by October 6, which was a first, and it will be interesting to see if he eclipses that in 2015, which was looking even earlier. The production levels were relatively abundant for Mike Officer and the wines fruit-forward, although softer and less reserved than some of the 2013s. While not quite as opaque in color, they are loaded with fruit, supple and luscious. The only white wine, the Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard, makes an appearance in 2014, and it’s another beauty – it’s crisp and the only wine in bottle. The other wines all stood out and will, no doubt, merit outstanding ratings across the board for their intensity, richness, and full-bodied power. If you already know what Mike Officer does, and the style of his wines, you won’t be disappointed in his 2014s. You may even like them as much as any vintage, given the fact that this year shows a lot of up-front fruit and charm.
Rated 92-94/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate