Tried thus far this week:
1. Dashe l'Enfant Terrible Zin McFaddenFarms/PotterVlly/Mendocino (NativeFermentation; 13.8%; OrganicallyGrownGrapes; U/U; LowSulfites) 2007: Med.light color; earthy/dusty tomato sauce/meaty/mineral some raspberry/Zin/spicy/pizza very light oak interesting nose; tart/lean earthy/minerally/tomatoey light raspberry/Zin/spicy flavor; tart/lean earthy/dusty light raspberrry/Zin finish w/ light tannins; dramatically different for a Dashe; some like a CruBeaujolais, some like a light Loire Gamay, some like an old-timey Parducci Zin; speaks of Mendocino/Ukiah terroir; an interesting old-timey Zin that appeals to the intellect. $25.00
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2.Jaune Mesquida D d'O: Pla y Llevant de Mallorca (Produced from Native varieties: Callot + Fogoneu Mallorqui & Fogoneu Frances; 6 mo. in French oak; http://www.SMSWine.com; 14%) 2005: Very dark color; rather toasty/Fr.oak/pungent some tarry/licorice/blackberry/plummy/cranberry some earthy/dusty slight funky/hot-climate nose; soft cranberry/plummy/blackberry/licorice rather toasty/Fr.oak somewhat rough/rustic/tannic flavor; med.long very toasty/Fr.oak blackberry/bing cherry/plummy/licorice rough/tannic/rustic finish; much like a Nero d'Avola or Aglianico; very modern/international in style; maybe like a BacoNoir made by MichelRolland $19.00
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3. CarlosBasso VendimiaTardia Mendoza VinoBlanco Dolce Naturel LateHrvst DessertWine (13.5%; 34% SauvBlanc, 33% SauvGris, 33% Viognier; SaH: 30.0Brix; RS: 8.2 gm/100 ml; http://www.SouthernWineGroup.com) P&B by Finca La Amalia S.A. 2005: Med.dark gold color; strong butterscotch/toasty/caramel/creme brulee some herbal/grassy/SB no botrytis late harvesty complex nose; quite sweet creme brulee/caramel somewhat herbal/grassy/SB light toasty/Fr.oak soft/lush flavor; long light herbal/grassy rather caramel/creme brulee toasty/Fr.oak rather sweet soft finish; some like one of DickPeterson's old MontereyVnyd LateHrvst SauvBlancs but less herbal/grassy character; some like an Erbaluce Caluso di Passito; a rather interesting dessert wine. $15.00/hlf
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Dashe: This is pretty unlike any Zin I've had from MikeDashe thus far. Fermented on natural yeasts, the only sulfite additions were at crush, and harvested early to achieve lower alcohol. It's a pretty weird duck, but I rather liked. Not a sensual wine.
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2. Mallorca: This is about the third or fourth Mallorca wine I've tried. They remind me a lot of Southern Italy or Languedoc reds.
The BalearicIslands are the home of Padre Junipero Serra, who established missions up & down the Calif coast. Supposedly, he brought vines from the Balearics, but the only trace of his viticultural heritage is the Mission grape, which he supposedly picked up when he came North thru Mexico. Wonder what happened to the Balearic grapes he had?
Tom