Cracked these the other day:
- Donkey&Goat Syrah ViellesVignes Mendocino (13.7%; U; GibsonRanch) 2007: Dark color; strong blackberry/Syrah/very spicy/blueberry rather dusty/OV bit earthy/Mendo tomatoey slight rustic/Cornas-like very cinteresting complex nose; bit tart/tangy some earthy/rustic/Cornas-like strong Syrah/blackberry/blueberry/some spicy some dusty/OV bit tomatoey/Mendo some complex flavor w/ light gentle tannins; long fairly blackberry/Syrah bit rustic/earthy fairly dusty/OV some complex finish w/ light smooth tannins; lots of OV/MendoCnty character and probably at its peak or slightly beyond, drink up; quite an attractive fully mature Syrah.
- Donkey&Goat Four Thirteen ElDorado RW (14.3%; U; Mourv/Syrah/Grenache/Counoise) 2008: Dark color; strong plummy/Mourv some blackberry/Syrah/spicy light toasty/oak rather earthy/ElD/mushroomy bit high-toned fragrant very attractive complex nose; soft fairly rich/lush light smokey/oak fairly strong plummy/Mourv/bright/blackberry/Syrah/spicy rather earthy/mushroomy/ElD bit RCCola/RootBeer quite smooth some complex flavor w/ light smooth/gentle tannins; soft rich/lush strong ElD/earthy/mushroomy/loamy strong plummy/Mourv some blackberry/Syrah/blueberry/high-toned/light strawberry light oak fairly complex finish; reminds a bit of a fully-mature Gigondas but less rustic & more fruit; quite an attractive Rhone blend that speaks strongly of ElD Cnty w/ more brightness than most.
A wee BloodyPulpit:
- 4-13: This is the name Tracey & Jared use for their GSM Rhone blend.
D&G is another wnry that has sorta fallen off my radar. When I’m out there in the EastBay area, I usually go by their tasting room and find I still like their wines a lot. Sigh…but you can’t keep up w/ all the wineries.
Tom