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| Mendocino: They Try Harder |
Monday October 7, 2002
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Speaker: Ron Kapon, Wine Educator, Tasters Guild, Regional Vice President
It has been said that Mendocino County is the Rodney Dangerfield of wine counties. They don't get any respect. Nothing should be further from the truth as Mendocino produces great wines. There is no question that when compared to Napa and Sonoma for recognition, Mendocino receives the Bronze medal, but the Mendocino Winegrowers Alliance is out to change this perception. A large county (four times the size of Napa), Mendocino hosts varied micro-climes and soils; therefore, there is no Mendocino style or profile as there are in other California wine regions. What one finds are dedicated wine makers who have planted the proper varietal for each condition to produce wines of high quality, rich taste and depth of flavor.
Located north of Napa and Sonoma near the great Redwood Forests, Mendocino is California's northern-most coastal wine region. Vineyards date back to the 1850's when unsuccessful Italian gold miners turned to what they knew best, agriculture and wine making. Since they were further from San Francisco than Napa and Sonoma, the wines produced were marketed locally and had less recognition outside of the region.
Five whites and eight red wines were tasted in the order listed. The consensus of the group was that while the whites were superior to the reds and the more affordable reds were preferred, they were not comparable to the quality of Napa and Sonoma wines. Prices listed are full retail. Attendees were asked to vote for their two favorite whites and three favorite reds. Notes are a combination of the speaker's and Vivian Tramontana. Ms. Tramontana has a long involvement with wine and with Tasters Guild.
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| Flight I: Whites |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Chance Creek Vineyards 2001 Sauvignon Blanc Redwood Valley
96% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Viognier. One of the many organic wines produced in Mendocino. Showing tropical fruits, peach/melon/grapefruit with a hint of jasmine and lilac on the nose. Had more sweetness than expected from a typical Sauvignon Blanc. Would go well paired with Dungeness Crab. One of the favorite whites of the evening. |
11 |
$14.00 |
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Handley Cellars 2000 Chardonnay Anderson Valley
100% Chardonnay. 2000 was the 20th anniversary of Handley Cellars wines. Barrel fermented in 25% new oak barrels. A cool season with long malolactic fermentation. High 14.2% alcohol. Buttery texture and a taste of oaky vanilla showing banana and coconut on the palate. Would pair well with lobster. |
11 |
$18.00 |
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Bonterra Vineyards 2000 Viognier
A Fetzer-owned vineyard. 13.7% alcohol. Barrel fermented 4 months in old Fetzer French oak barrels. Aged sur lie for 7 months. Floral, fruity wine with little oak and no dominant aftertaste. |
0 |
$20.00 |
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Navarro Vineyards 2000 Gewürztraminer Anderson Valley
Estate Grown grapes. Cold fermented in the Alsatian style. 7 months barrel aging in German and French oak barrels. Spicy with gardenia nose. Would pair well with Indian or spicy Chinese food. |
4 |
$14.00 |
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Greenwood Ridge Vineyards 2001 White Riesling
Vinified in the German style. Apple fruit and a closed nose. The level of residual sugar, 1.9%, is sweeter than most. Moreover, there is little acid to balance the sweetness. Out of balance with no character.
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2 |
$12.00 |
| Flight II: Reds |
Esterlina Vineyards 1998 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
Had a 'funky' minty nose and tasted cooked with overripe prunes and raisins. Conclusion that this was a bad bottle.
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0 |
$45.00 |
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Husch Vineyards 1999 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Balanced. Hint of mint, strawberries and cherries. |
0 |
$18.50 |
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Lolonis 1999 Merlot Redwood Valley Reserve
Organic wine from 40 year old vines. Aged in French and American oak barrels. Balanced acidity, full fruity flavors with coffee overtones |
0 |
$30.00 |
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Duncan Peak Vineyards 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
100 % Cabernet Sauvignon organic wine. 500 cases produced. 21 months in French oak barrels, with no fining or filtering. Hints of mint and vanilla. Danced on the palate. |
6 |
$35.00 |
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McDowell Valley Vineyards 2000 Syrah Mendocino
80% Syrah, 16% Durif, 4% Grenache. 6 months in French and American oak barrels. Balanced with berry and pepper flavors. |
6 |
$12.00 |
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Zingaro 1999 Zinfandel
Owned by the John Parducci family. 95% Zinfandel, 4% Petit Syrah, 1% Barbera. 14 months in 3 year old American oak barrels. Jammy, spicy with huckleberry fruit. Danced on the palate. One of my favorite reds of the evening. |
11 |
$16.00 |
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Fetzer 1999 Barrel Select Zinfandel Mendocino
85% Zinfandel, 10% Petit Syrah, 5% Undisclosed. Flavors of coffee, pepper, blackberry and vanilla. |
6 |
$14.00 |
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Fife Vineyards 1999 L'Attitude 39 (Rhone blend)
Chateauneuf-du-Pape style Rhone blend. Tannic, woodsy, spicy wildberries and licorice. Long finish. Requires aging. One of the favorite reds of the evening.
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11 |
$20.00 |
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