Tried these two new Drew Pinots from my latest wine club shipment last night:
1. Drew PinotNoir Mid-Elevation MendoRidge (13.3%; Faite De Mer Farm + Valenti Ranch; 30% whole-cluster; Drk: now-2035; 11 mo. in neutral Fr.oak) Elk 2020: Med.dark color; strong toasty/oak strong black cherry/PN/blackberry perfumed some earthy bit rustic attractive nose; fairly tart/tangy rather hard/tannic/rustic/rough strong PN/black cherry/boysenberry slight earthy flavor w/ ample hard tannins; very long very strong PN/black cherry/boysenberry earthy rather tangy/bit metallic rough/rustic finish w/ ample tannins; a somewhat rough/rustic/hard very tangy PN that needs another 3-8 yrs but will probably never be anything great & may not outlive the tannins. $32.00
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2. Drew PinotNoir Estate Field Slctn MendoRidge (13.3%; Faite De Mer Farm; 50% w-c; 50% new Fr.oak for 18 mo.; Drk: 2021-2037) 2019: Med.color; some pencilly/toasty/Fr.oak very fragrant/perfumed quite floral/PN/black cherry/violets some complex lovely aromatic nose; lightly tart smooth/balanced strong floral/PN/violets/black cherry/cherry blossom some toasty/pencilly/Fr.oak some peppery/w-c/very spicy some complex smooth/rich some complex flavor w/ modest smooth tannins; very long/lingering smooth/balanced/rich/lush strong floral/PN/cherry blossom/black cherry some pencilly/toasty/Fr.oak bit complex finish w/ some round tannins; a beautiful smooth/polished classic Drew PN as good as he's ever made. $80.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. These are the wines of Jason & Molly Drew. I've been a big fan of their wines ever since they started making wines down in Buellton/SantaBarbaraCnty. Their wines were much bigger & more alcoholic then. When they moved to their origins up in MendoCnty, they reined in the style of their wines, though did not go over to the dark side. They were poster children for the IPoB crowd. The Faite De Mer Farm is their Estate property and the closest vnyd to te Pacific in MendoCnty. In adition to specializing in Pinots, they also make some very good Syrahs. And very scarce Viognier and Albarino. And they also grow apples and make cidre, which I have not tried yet.
Tom