2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Sodini Vineyard

A deep, structured wine, the 2012 Zinfandel Sodini Vineyard is loaded with intensity and personality. This is one of the more rustic, burly Zinfandel in the range. In 2012 Carlisle split a lease on this site with Bedrock, but only made one wine here before giving full control of the vineyard to Bedrock, so the Sodini is a one-and-done wine for Carlisle.

Leased from Morgan Peterson’s Bedrock Wine Co., the 2012 Zinfandel Sodini Vineyard comes from a site planted in 1905 with 95% Zinfandel and the rest Alicante Bouchet, Carignan, Trousseau and Petite Sirah. This well-made, deep ruby/purple-colored wine comes from a warm site on Limerick Lane. The wine possesses a lighter color than some of its siblings, along with attractive notes of red and black cherries, currants, cedarwood and spice box. Drink this medium-bodied, finesse-styled Zin in its first 3-4 years of life. Carlisle Winery’s Mike Officer and his wife are one of the wonderful stories in the wine world. Going from a part-time home winemaker, to turning out some of his beloved Zinfandels, to becoming one of the two or three leading guardians of old vine Zinfandel in Northern California, Mike Officer was so good at making wine that he changed careers and wine consumers are the beneficiaries. The single vineyard Zins are absolutely remarkable. Everyone who loves Zinfandel should be on Carlisle’s mailing list, the wines are primarily available only from the winery. Sadly, Mike Officer is not making as much Syrah as he used to given the difficult marketplace for this varietal. That’s a shame, as great Syrahs are truly magnificent wines. Tel. (707) 566-7700