The 2011 Syrah James Berry Vineyard is once again fantastic. The aromas and flavors literally jump from the glass. There is so much going on here, it’s hard to know where to start. Violets, tar, ash, crushed rocks and plums all explode from the glass in this layered multi-dimensional wine. The 2011, from the lower part of the “Bone Rock” section of the vineyard, was made with 25% whole clusters. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Proprietor Mike Officer arrived with a bevy of wines for our tasting, all of which I was thrilled to sample. Readers who don’t think terroir exists in California should check out the Carlisle Zinfandels and Syrahs, many of which emerge from old-vine, heritage sites that nearly disappeared until Officer and some of his peers rescued them from the brink of oblivion. In particular, the 2011 Zinfandels are fabulous. Officer describes 2011 as a very late harvest. The Syrahs were all picked after the rains, while the thinner-skinned Zinfandels naturally came in quite a bit earlier. Officer told me he performed a severe selection of fruit that took with it a full 50% of the production. For his efforts, Officer has been rewarded with a set of gorgeous wines, although I imagine his faithful clientele won’t be too thrilled with the lower production levels of these wines, given their already minuscule production. Unfortunately, 2011 Compagni Portis and Gruner Veltliner were to be bottled right after this tasting, so I will have to wait until another opportunity to sample those wines. Carlisle is resolute in keeping his wines affordable, a commendable approach I wish were more common throughout California.Tel. (707) 566-7700

From a two block parcel, the 2008 Syrah James Berry Vineyard was produced from yields of 0.7 tons of fruit per acre. It is aged in French oak (33% new), and will be bottled unfined and unfiltered. The wine boasts an inky/purple color to the rim along with extraordinary floral, blueberry and blackberry liqueur characteristics, a chalky minerality, full-bodied power, elegance, and an ethereal lightness due, no doubt, to the limestone soils. This amazing 2008 should put on weight, and drink beautifully for a decade or more. One of California's most compelling success stories is Mike Officer's conversion from full-time software developer to full-time guardian of old vine Zinfandel vineyards and world-class producer of artisinal wines. Carlisle is a hugely successful winery, not only because of outstanding customer service, but because of the simple fact that it delivers great wines at extremely fair prices. Carlisle's 2008 Zinfandel crop is the smallest to date thanks to the spring frost, which cut yields by 30%. Consequently, production for all of these 2008s is down considerably. That said, the concentration levels are higher than ever, and the alcohol content is slightly higher than in 2007. The 2007 Syrahs (all 100% Syrah) showcase not only Mike Officer's uncanny knack for ferreting out top terroirs for Syrah, but also his artisinal, hands-off winemaking philosophy that seems to coax the finest characteristics out of all his vineyard sources. The 2008 Syrahs are concentrated, powerful reds, and I may be wrong, but it appears that Mike Officer is beginning to use a higher percentage of whole clusters (stems).Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200

From one of California's top grand cru vineyards, Carlisle's 2007 Syrah James Berry Vineyard is a staggering effort. This site's chalky, limestone soils give the wine superb intensity as well as extraordinary laser-like focus. Blue and black fruit, graphite, ink, and camphor aromas soar from the glass of this superb, fabulously concentrated, full-bodied, layered wine that lasts for 45+ seconds. Drink this remarkable Syrah over the next 10+ years. One of California's most compelling success stories is Mike Officer's conversion from full-time software developer to full-time guardian of old vine Zinfandel vineyards and world-class producer of artisinal wines. Carlisle is a hugely successful winery, not only because of outstanding customer service, but because of the simple fact that it delivers great wines at extremely fair prices. Carlisle's 2008 Zinfandel crop is the smallest to date thanks to the spring frost, which cut yields by 30%. Consequently, production for all of these 2008s is down considerably. That said, the concentration levels are higher than ever, and the alcohol content is slightly higher than in 2007. The 2007 Syrahs (all 100% Syrah) showcase not only Mike Officer's uncanny knack for ferreting out top terroirs for Syrah, but also his artisinal, hands-off winemaking philosophy that seems to coax the finest characteristics out of all his vineyard sources. The 2008 Syrahs are concentrated, powerful reds, and I may be wrong, but it appears that Mike Officer is beginning to use a higher percentage of whole clusters (stems).Tel. (707) 566-7700; Fax (707) 566-7200