Mendocino County Wine Tasting Notes

1999 Navarro Vineyards
Anderson Valley Mendocino Gewurztraminer "Vineyard Select, Sweet Late Harvest"
Score: 90.0
"A dessert wine with a sweet honeyed nose and loads of sweet spices on the palate; very sweet apricot and peach fruit, with decent acid on the finish. "

1997 Brutacao Vineyards
Mendocino Zinfandel
Score: 91.0
"Extremely spicy, this medium-bodied Zin has moderate tannin and jammy blackberry fruit."

1998 Navarro Vineyards
Anderson Valley Mendocino Gewurztraminer Late Harvest Sweet
Score: 100.0
"In my pantheon of California 'First Growths' Navarro is at the top of the heap for the best New World Gewurztraminer, and in this case one of the best late harvest wines ever produced anywhere in the world. My powers of description are sadly inadequate: Aromatic apricot and lychee, sisal rope and honey, sweet, amazingly spicy and perfectly balanced by crisp acidity and a hint of bitterness, this is a wine that simply has no peers. It is AS GOOD AS IT GETS."

1997 Navarro Vineyards Methode a lAncienne
Anderson Valley Mendocino Pinot Noir
Score: 87.0
"Cherries with a smokey edge, a touch of earth, silky texture, light tannin, and a spicy finish of great length. Good now, Id like to lay it down for five years."

1998 Navarro Vineyards
Anderson Valley Mendocino Pinot Gris
Score: 91.0
"Navarro does here for Pinot Gris what it has for Gewurztraminer, defining the varietal. Bright, peachy, spicy, sprtizy, dry yet fruity with a slightly bitter finish, this is a perfect wine to pair with shellfish."

1997 Brutocao
Bliss Vineyard Mendocino Chardonnay Estate Bottled
Score: 86.0
"Beautifully textured, crisp and lively, the '97 Brutacoa is restrained but well-proportioned, offering citrusy fruit and subtle oak shadings. "

1997 Brutocao
Bliss Vineyard Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc
Score: 88.0
"Dry melon rind, subtle herbs, mineral overtones, Brazil nuts, crisp acidity, yet a silky texture and a shourt finish."

1997 Seghesio
Mendocino County Barbera
Score: 97.0
For years Ive been a preacher to the deaf. While they've been focused on Cabernet and Merlot, Ive been trying to extoll the virtues of the worlds most underrated red wine-Barbera. This example is one of the best ever. Irresitible plum and cherry fruit, soft texture, yet spicy on the palate and through the finish. Juicy, fruity, spicy heaven. This is wine as it should be.

1996 Bonterra
Mendocino County Merlot
Score: 94.0
"Too often overlooked by the wine press, Bonterra is one of the best labels in California. Its hallmark is balance, restraint, subtlty and great varietal definition. This Merlot is but one more example- deep black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, light smoke, soft tannins and a long complex finish. Fabulous now, it weill develop very nicely over the next 5 to 8 years."

1997 Navarro Vineyards
Mendocino Pinot Noir
Score: 84.0
"Relatively simple, but fruit forward with delightful cherry overtones, silky texture and a bright fruity finish. Good aperitif, or serve with salmon, veal, or pork."

1997 Navarro Premier Reserve
Anderson Valley Mendocino Chardonnay
Score: 98.0
"Approaching perfection. Astounding layers of ripe tropical fruit in the nose; muted mango, apricot and pineapple with mineral overtones on the palate, very subtle and complex oak, dry as a bone, silky texture, and a lingering finish of pink grapefruit and minerals. A fantastic bargain in todays market. Try with stroganoff, cashew chicken, fajitas with papaya salsa."

1997 Greenwood Ridge
Du Pratt Vineyard Mendocino Chardonnay
Score: 87.0
"Incredibly intense vanilla over baked apple with a lemon edge, velvety texture, full body and a warm finish. Pair with equally bold dishes like stroganoff, or pork with carmelized onions and bellpeppers. "

FETZER
MENDOCINO COUNTY CHARDONNAY: RESERVE
Score: 88.0
"A beautiful, well-proportioned wine with creamy texture and restrained though persistent pear-like fruit, with notes of vanilla and cinnamon to add interest."