http://www.winespectator.com/blogs/show/id/41545" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Love the wines, didn’t even know they were growing Dornfelder. Crazy stuff!
They tasted it on the show with Gary, last year. Episode 630. A two parter with Peter and Rebecca Work.
Maybe Dornfelder will be like Muller-Thurgau and rise to greater heights away from its home turf in Germany.
I know Norm Yost with Flying Goat used to make the Dornfelder from Huber’s Vineyard - not sure if he still does or not.
I’ve also seen one or two of these out of WA . . .
Cheers!
What’s next? Off-dry Oregon Trollinger? If you’re looking for German red grapes that don’t get a lot of respect, it’s got to be near the top of your list.
I have a bottle of 2003 Huber Cellars Estate Dornfelder…though haven’t tried it yet, have heard it is unique and wonderful.
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I’m not real surprised. I’ve had the Huber a couple of times and it offers big rich fruit. Not super sweet or soft does offer appeal for those who are not impressed with subtlety. Quality wine.
And you know when folks are drinking the Dorn…
looks like they just finished gnawing on a live squirrel’s liver.
Best. Avatar. EVER.
Hey Ian - you should check out that guy Gary. He has a store in NJ, might be near where you are.
But OK. Dornfelder in CA?
Stuff like THAT is why I wish the gubmint would get involved and legislate what grapes can be grown and classify vineyards and all that.
The Huber Dornfelder is very good stuff - I’ve tasted it a few times including once about three years ago with Norm Huber at his house next to the vineyard. It’s inky black and the most viscous non-dessert wine I’ve ever tried. As I recall, the tannins were big but not overly harsh.
OK, so I readily admit, I don’t watch the show!
That’s an accomplishment. Isn’t it on a continuous looping large/loud video nearby? Hell, people pumping gas near L.A. can’t escape it.
My forgotten german-ish red grape variety vote goes for: Sankt Laurent.
RT
MokulumneGlen also makes a Dornfelder from the Eastern foothills of Lodi. Have a btl but not tried it yet.
Tom
I all for St. Laurent as well.
It’s amazing how well I have gotten at tuning things out. I forget that thing is there most days!
Agree, a very nice wine that looks like it’s going to be an inky monster, but is actually very fragrant and balanced, not nearly as heavy as, say, a petite sirah or most zinfandels.
But if you really want a wine that will make people say “holy shit” when they swirl the glass, check out Huber’s Dornfelder PORT. A black hole of a wine, looks like what I would imagine MegaPurple looks like in its raw state. But again, a very nice, fragrant and easy-to-drink dessert wine.