The 2005 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch, which is 89% Zinfandel and 11% mixed blacks (Alicante and Petite Sirah) tips the scales at a whopping 15.9% alcohol, so Mike Officer must have picked unbelievably late in this cool year to get that kind of maturity. The wine displays some black raspberry and cherry with some underlying soil notes as well as hints of white chocolate, pepper, and spice. It is not as powerful as the Bacchi, but it is a top-flight Zinfandel. Previously recommended: 2004 Syrah Judge Family Vineyard (95), 2004 Syrah Pelkan Ranch (90), 2004 Three Birds (93), 2004 Two Acres (93), 2004 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard (93), 2004 Zinfandel Carlo’s Ranch (91), 2004 Zinfandel Fava Ranch (91), 2004 Zinfandel Rossi Ranch (92), 2004 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch (94). Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200

The 2005 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch, which is 89% Zinfandel and 11% mixed blacks (Alicante and Petite Sirah) tips the scales at a whopping 15.9% alcohol, so Mike Officer must have picked unbelievably late in this cool year to get that kind of maturity. The wine displays some black raspberry and cherry with some underlying soil notes as well as hints of white chocolate, pepper, and spice. It is not as powerful as the Bacchi, but it is a top-flight Zinfandel. Previously recommended: 2004 Syrah Judge Family Vineyard (95), 2004 Syrah Pelkan Ranch (90), 2004 Three Birds (93), 2004 Two Acres (93), 2004 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard (93), 2004 Zinfandel Carlo’s Ranch (91), 2004 Zinfandel Fava Ranch (91), 2004 Zinfandel Rossi Ranch (92), 2004 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch (94).Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200

Always one of the strongest efforts in this portfolio, the 2004 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch is a blend of 91% Zinfandel and the rest Alicante Bouchet and Petite Sirah. It boasts a dense ruby/purple hue, fabulous balance, no jagged edges, and oodles of briery blackberry fruit intermixed with lavender, vanillin, and spice box. Like all these wines, it possesses a sensational texture as well as a mouthfilling richness. Readers should not hesitate to get on Carlisle’s mailing list before the world discovers what compelling beverages are being produced here.Previously recommended: 2003 Petite Sirah (94+), 2003 Syrah Bennett Valley (95), 2003 Syrah Pelkan Ranch (93), 2003 Two Acres (94), 2003 Zinfandel Dry Creek (91), 2003 Zinfandel Sonoma County (91), 2003 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard (93), 2003 Zinfandel Fava Ranch (92), 2003 Zinfandel Riebli Ranch (90), 2003 Zinfandel Rossi Ranch (94), 2003 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch (95).Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200

Always one of the strongest efforts in this portfolio, the 2004 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch is a blend of 91% Zinfandel and the rest Alicante Bouchet and Petite Sirah. It boasts a dense ruby/purple hue, fabulous balance, no jagged edges, and oodles of briery blackberry fruit intermixed with lavender, vanillin, and spice box. Like all these wines, it possesses a sensational texture as well as a mouthfilling richness. Readers should not hesitate to get on Carlisle’s mailing list before the world discovers what compelling beverages are being produced here. Previously recommended: 2003 Petite Sirah (94+), 2003 Syrah Bennett Valley (95), 2003 Syrah Pelkan Ranch (93), 2003 Two Acres (94), 2003 Zinfandel Dry Creek (91), 2003 Zinfandel Sonoma County (91), 2003 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard (93), 2003 Zinfandel Fava Ranch (92), 2003 Zinfandel Riebli Ranch (90), 2003 Zinfandel Rossi Ranch (94), 2003 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch (95). Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200

The 2003 Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch is one of those wines that makes you say “wow!” A blend of 91% Zinfandel and 9% varietals such as Alicante Bouchet and Petite Sirah from a vineyard planted in 1926, it is an extraordinarily intense Zinfandel with a nose of lavender, black cherries, and other dark fruits. Almost primordial, but seamlessly put together, full-bodied, voluptuous, and rich, this knock-out Zinfandel is as good as this varietal can be. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. A “good feeling” story is that of Mike Officer, a home winemaker who began his own winery, Carlisle, in 1998, while he was still working as a software developer. The huge success he enjoyed among his mailing list customers, who quickly recognized his dedication to serious winemaking from old vineyard sites, allowed him to abandon his software career to become a full-time owner and winemaker. These are all big, but incredibly well-balanced, fresh wines. Officer is not afraid to push ripeness to the edge, but, remarkably, the wines are never over the top, revealing tremendous textures, aromatics, and ripeness. He has become one of the top three or four Zinfandel producers in northern California, and also demonstrates a sure hand with Syrah and some of the old field blends planted by Italian immigrants over a century ago. Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200