Detailed Wine Tasting Notes from Mendocino County

Introduction to the Tasting

  • Overview of the purpose and setup of the wine tasting experience.
  • Emphasis on choosing a diverse selection of wines, including familiar brands and new discoveries.
  • Aim to balance comfort with exploration; avoid replicating previous levels of learning.

Wine Selection Overview

Wines to Taste

  1. Flowers Chardonnay

    • Origin: Sonoma Coast, California
    • Notable Producer: Recognized as a reputable winery close to the Pacific Ocean.
    • Discussed comparison with another higher-end option.
    • Experience of receiving a different vintage than expected.

  2. Kistler Chardonnay

    • Origin: Russian River, California
    • Considered one of the top five producers of Chardonnay.
    • Characteristics: Known for high quality and prestigious reputation.

  3. Stone Street Chardonnay

    • Origin: Alexander Valley, California
    • Noted for being new to the speaker.
    • Characteristics: Expected to be riper and denser compared to others.

  4. Viognier from Fountain Grove District

    • Origin: Fountain Grove, Sonoma County
    • Characteristics: Known for unique aromatic qualities and potential richness.

Understanding the U.S. Wine Industry

  • Total Number of Wineries: 9,800 wineries in the U.S. (2026)
    • Noteworthy 3% decline from the previous year.
    • Approximately half of all wineries (around 4,600) are located in California.
  • Per Capita Wine Consumption: 12.04 liters in 2021, placing the U.S. around 20th globally in consumption.

Historical Context of American Wine

  1. Nicholas Longworth

    • Recognized as the father of American viticulture; founded the first successful winery in the mid-1800s.
    • Innovated with native grape varietals for sparkling wine, notably Catawba.

  2. Thomas Jefferson

    • Known for attempts to cultivate European vines in Virginia in the late 1700s.

  3. Prohibition (1920-1933)

    • Impacted the number of wineries, reducing from about 2,500 to fewer than 100.
    • Many left were legal for medicinal or sacramental purposes.

Key Wine Regions in California

North Coast Region

  • Important Counties:
    • Napa: Renowned for high-quality wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.
    • Sonoma: Known for diversity in varietals and styles.
    • Mendocino: Located north of Napa.
    • Lake County: Further inland, less recognized but emerging.

Central Coast Region

  • Stretching from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, known for cooler climates affecting grape maturation.
  • Central Valley: Major wine grape production area, typically for bulk wines.

Specific Areas within Sonoma County

  1. Sonoma Coast

    • Huge, expansive area known for a cooling influence from coastal winds, suitable for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
    • UC Davis Hammerman and Winkler system categorizes it as Region 1 (coolest climate).

  2. Russian River

    • Provides more warmth, resulting in denser and richer wines compared to Sonoma Coast, while maintaining acidity due to substantial diurnal temperature variation.

  3. Alexander Valley

    • Warmer area ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
    • Recognized for its Pokie history as an emerging region.

Tasting Notes for Each Wine

1. Flowers Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)

  • Characteristics:
    • Age: Young (2024)
    • Dry with High acidity and Medium body.
    • Alcohol: 13.5%.
  • Cask Treatment:
    • 80% in French oak and 20% in stainless steel; minimal new oak.
  • Aroma and Taste Notes:
    • Tropical fruit notes, elegant and pretty in character.

2. Kistler Chardonnay (Russian River)

  • Characteristics:
    • Rich, dense, and full-bodied.
    • Alcohol: 14%.
  • Cask Treatment:
    • 11 months in French oak; some toast and lees characteristics present.
  • Aroma and Taste Notes:
    • Noteworthy vanilla and floral notes; tasting shows dimensions of richness.

3. Stone Street Chardonnay (Alexander Valley)

  • Characteristics:
    • Warmer and drier, reflects high-density production.
    • Alcohol: 14%.
  • Cask Treatment:
    • 10 months in French oak with 30% new; exhibits toasted oak influence.
  • Aroma and Taste Notes:
    • Salty and pretzel-like in character; rich and fuller on the palate.

4. Viognier from Fountain Grove District

  • Characteristics:
    • Highly aromatic and typically flabby without proper hanging time for complexity.
    • Alcohol level expected to be lower than richly produced options.
  • Unique Aspects:
    • 100% stainless steel; aged sur lie for six months to develop aromatic complexity.
    • Final observations should focus on freshness and balance of flavors.

Conclusion

  • All wines showcased different expressions from various AVAs, providing an insight into California's wine making diversity.
  • The significant aspects included viticulture history, regional climate influences, and current trends in California's wine industry.
  • The experience aimed not only at tasting but understanding the complexity and artistic process behind California wines.