2002 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard

As for the 2002s, this was a top vintage for Carlisle. The general practice of picking ripe fruit from primarily ancient vineyards and completely destemming resulted in outstanding offerings. The 2002 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard (a 638-case blend of 84% Zinfandel and 16% Alicante Bouchet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, and Carignan) was harvested in late October. After indigenous fermentations in small open-top fermenters, the wine was moved to French oak (one-third new). Bottled unfined and unfiltered (as are all the Carlisle wines), it offers up a sensational perfume of raspberries, blackberries, pepper, flowers, and lead pencil shavings. This is a great Zinfandel from a vineyard formerly owned by De Loach (then called Peletti Ranch). Run, don’t walk, and snatch up as many bottles of this beauty as you can. Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200