Just received two new-to-me wines for review from new-to-me wineries. A white from Girasole and a red from Barra, both hailing from Mendocino County. And though Mendocino County wines are not new-to-me, I admit not to be totally familiar with the terroir or its wines. So this was a treat!
Girasole Vineyards 2021 Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County
13% alcohol, 100% Pinot Blanc
The tech sheet read that there are only about 425 acres of pinot blanc grown in the state of California, and their vineyards date back to the late 1970s when they began by selling the fruit to other wineries. The grapes are certified organic, hand-harvested and aged 85 days in stainless steel.
My notes: The sunflowers on the wine label, with colors ranging from yellow to orange, are an echo of the pale yellow color of the wine in my glass. The aromas reminded me of Meyer lemons, Golden Delicious apple slices, mown grass, hay and the ocean. On the mouth I got a nice viscosity, mild to medium acidity, more lemon on the front and back palate as well as fresh pear and pink grapefruit with a very nice balance. With a $15 suggested retail I would definitely buy this wine.
89 pts / Wine Enthusiast
Gold / Mendocino County Wine Competition
Gold / Sunset Magazine
https://www.girasolevineyards.com/
Barra of Mendocino 2019 Estate Grown Petite Sirah
14.8% alcohol
According to the tech sheet the wine grapes are organic petite (89%) and zinfandel (11%), handpicked from their estate vineyard high above the Ukiah valley and aged 18 months in new French oak.
My notes: Very dark purple color, opaque. Plum, blackberry, prune, rich earthiness, bark, milk and dark chocolate on the nose. The taste was big, balanced and dry with lots of very dark fruit, jammy, a medium amount of spice with a medium finish. For a suggested retail price of $26, again I would buy this wine.
Double Gold 2021 Mendocino County Wine Competition
https://www.barraofmendocino.com/
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
