My new shipment for rootdown came in last week, so tried:
1. rootdown CheninBlanc HeringerVnyd/Clarksburg (11.71%; 21'st root; www.RootDownWineCellars.com) Sebastapol 2018: Pale yellow color; fragrant pretty/bright/CB/pear/quince slight chalky quite attractive nose; fairly tart/tangy rather mineral/chalky bright pear/CB/quince/apple slight earthy bit lean flavor; very long tart/tangy/bit metallic fairly bright/CB/pear/quince bright/zippy/brisk finish; a quite pretty CB w/ some mineral/chalky character. $26.00
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2. rootdown PinotBlanc RivenRanch/MendoCnty (13.32%; 23'rd root) 201: Med.light yellow color; lightly fragrant appley/PB/pear light perfumed talc pleasant simple nose; lightly tart light PB/apple/pear slight perfumed talc rather lightweight flavor; med.long bit tart light PB/apple/pear bit perfumed talc rather simple finish; a pleasant white that whispers PB but a bit too mild-mannered/milequtoast for me. $26.00
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3. rootdown GrenacheBlanc RedwoodGlennVnyd/DryCreekVlly (13.40%; 7'th root) 2018: Light gold color; attractive fragrant/quiet GB/honeysuckle/floral/carnations light pear/apple rather understated nose; lightly tart apple/pear/quince light GB/honeysuckle/floral slight perfumed talc rather quiet flavor; med.long quiet floral/honeysuckle/GB light pear/Viog-like slight tangy finish; a quiet/understated white that speaks of GB if you put your ear near the glass. $26.00
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4. rootdown Trrousseau St.AmantVnyd/AmadorCnty (11.25%; CarbonicMaceration; 28'th root) 2018: Very light garnet/bit orange color; mildly strong cranberry/cherry/candied/watermelon/JollyRancher some earthy/dusty/OV pleasant nose; quite tart/tangy some candied/watermelon/cranberry/Trouss some dusty/OV/earthy flavor w/ light tangy tannins; med.long bright/cranberry/watermelon/Trouss/candied/JollyRancher some dusty/OV finish w/ light tannins; a pleasant vin de soif that speaks of Trousseau. $34.00
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5. rootdown Mourvedre DryBoneRanch/AmadorCnty (12.05%; 6'th root) 2018: Med.color; med.strong Mourv/plummy/blackberry bit earthy/briary light pencilly/old oak grapey pleasant nose; lightly tart/tangy fairly strong Mourv/plummy/grapey light earthy/briary/mushroomy flavor w/ light gentle tannins; med.long rather plummy/Mourv/blackberry light earthy/briary finish w/ light tannins; a pleasant red that speaks of Amador Mourv quietly. $36.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. rootdown is the effort of MikeLucia, formerly of Copain. I met Mike at an event at LimerickLane and was quite struck by his passion for his winemaking. The name "rootdown" comes from his interest/focus on the interaction of the vines with the soil, and less on the growing conditions/weather. He sources from only organic vnyds. He doesn't advertise as such, but would be regarded as a "natural" winemaker. But his wines were all perfectly clean w/ no natty character.
I liked all of Mike's wines in this shipment. They were varietially correct and spoke of their origins. That said, they left me just wanting a little more. A bit more impact & intensity. A bit of rowdiness from them. A bit more distinctive. I'll buy them again.
Tom