Aged in 24% new French oak, the deep purple-black colored 2017 Syrah Papa's Block (100% Syrah) features notes of green olive, peppercorn, fried sage, rosemary and cured meats with dried lilac, warm blackcurrant and black cherries. Full-bodied, it's mineral-driven in the mouth with a sanguine character, very firm chewy tannins and just enough freshness to carry the finish. 364 cases produced.

Made up of 100% Syrah, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Syrah Papa's Block comes bounding out of the glass with gregarious crushed blackcurrants and black plums with touches of dried herbs, black pepper, aniseed and tilled soil plus a waft of underbrush. Full-bodied with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and a lively line supporting the generous fruit, it has a very long, savory finish. 561 cases produced.

The 2015 Syrah Papa’s Block is 100% Syrah and finished at 15.3% natural alcohol. This soft, juicy wine has velvety tannins, oodles of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, as well as a touch of road tar and pepper. It is heady, rich, and is aged in 25% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

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.

The 2012 Syrah Papa’s Block (100% Syrah) is a 400-case cuvee that achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. Thirty percent whole clusters were used, and about 20% new French oak. The wine exhibits lots of blackberry fruit, charcoal and spring flower characteristics in a full-bodied, opulent, irresistible, richly fruity, plush style. Consume it over the next 6-10 years. 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