• 2013 De Loach Chardonnay,
Marin—sweet fruit thanks to
a relatively warm growing
year, 100 percent barrel
fermented giving a rich,
buttery style. An excellent
wine from the Boisset family of
wineries.
• 2015 Pey-Marin Riesling,
Marin—crisp, dry, wonderfully
elegant and refreshing. This is
one of the very few great dry
Rieslings made in California
• 2015 Pey-Marin Pinot Noir,
“Trois Filles,” Marin, —a bit
of new oak gives a touch of
added complexity to tart,
cherry tones and raspberries.
• 2015 McEvoy Ranch Cabernet
Sauvignon, Marin—the
winemaker notes, “Aromatics
of green and black olives;
flavors of cassis, black currant,
dried oregano and black
licorice with a persistent finish
from French oak aging.”
• 2014 Books Note Pinot Noir,
Marin—attractive, deep color,
lots of cherry, cranberry and
spicy notes with a subtle kiss of
oak.
• 2014 Stubbs Chardonnay,
Marin County—this unique
and special wine would win
a top prize in Burgundy. First
impression is incredibly dry
and rich without a touch of
sweetness often found in
California versions. The finish
is incredibly long and luscious.
The vineyard setting is lovely,
one of the most beautiful in
California.
• 2016 Stubbs Pinot Noir,
Marin County—a wonderful
mouthfeel, rich, elegant and
sublime, with an earthiness
adding to its deep complexity.
Both Stubb wines are made by
Dan Goldfield, a master of cool
weather varieties.
• Pt Reyes Vineyard sparkling
wines. One is a blanc de noir,
make from estate grown
pinot noir grapes--eight years
in the bottle. The wine is
exceptionally dry and crisp.
The other gem is a blanc
de blanc from chardonnay
grapes. Bright, dry and
focused. This wine would
be excellent with oysters.
The winery also offers a
large selection of cabernet
sauvignon wines from Quail
Hill Vineyards in Terra Linda.
I tasted several vintages; one
was an exceptional 1997. The
1989 vintage, made by the
legendary winemaker Philip
Togni, was terrific--splurge on
this rarity for $110 a bottle.
This is just a tip of the Marin
County wine story. Visit the
website of the Marin County
Winegrowers Association—
marinwine.org and let yourself
be tempted!
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Marin Arts & Culture