2008 Heart of Gold Eldorado White Table Wine – 59% Vermentino 41% Grenache Blanc - Sourced from vineyards in Fair Play, CA alc 13.3% just under 200 cases produced $20
Very attractive brassy color – very appealing mineral-driven aromatics with hints of pear and a bit green apple lurking in the background – the wine is enormously successful in the mouth with a lush texture balanced with very proper acids, a creamy finish and delightful, albeit slightly difficult to identify varietal flavors. This edition has, perhaps, a bit more body and a more substantial mouthfeel, but is wonderfully pleasing. Another clear winner. Back up the truck.
2008 Bone Jolly Gamay Noir au jus Blanc El Dorado County Witters Vineyard - the vineyard is planted at 3400 ft. alc 12.9% 300 cases produced $16
Light scarlet color; almost translucent – bright, pretty and nearly mouth-watering Gamay aromatics – high toned fruit with a hint of overlying perfume – light, bright and exceptionally pretty in the mouth – it dances across the palate and goes down easily with a wonderfully clean finish – a true delight to drink. This is a perfect “light” red wine for summer fare – just beautiful.
2006 That Old Black Magic California Red Wine - cofermented Syrah from Wylie Vineyard and Fenaughty Vineyard; cofermented Syrah and Grenache from Fenaughty Vineyard; and Grenache and Syrah from Eaglepoint Ranch – alc 14.3% 400 cases produced $20
Dark garnet color in the glass – wonderful aromas of purple stone fruits with overlying perfume – in the mouth, the wine has an impressive richness of fruit without being ponderous – it is rather light on its feet for a wine of its stature – it is essentially fruit driven with very pure flavors and, like all of Steve’s wines, is very cleanly made and has a long follow. I get a sense that this wine would benefit from more time in bottle. There is an 07 in bottle that will follow this.
2008 Edmunds St. John Syrah Cuvee Fairbairn – biodynamically grown in Mendocino County alc 13.6% 200 cases produced $25
Lovely deep garnet color – very pretty Syrah fruit wafts from the glass – the wine really ‘pops’ in the mouth with a beautiful burst of sweetly ripe fruit predominating over the acids and smooth tannins – there is a smoky element to the wine, as the vineyard was close to the North Coast wildfires that season – the smokiness adds to and completes the wine, rather than distracting or accompanying – it is integrated beautifully into the inherent smokiness of the variety – very, very nice. Still young, with significant room for development ahead – but quite appealing, even now.
Visit the Gang for an interview with Steve and his comments on the wines.
Getting Rouged http://blogs.gangofpour.com/getting-rouged
