2000 Russian River Valley Mondeuse
100% Mondeuse
There are 99 old vines of Mondeuse (There were 100 but one succumbed to "tractor blight" this year.) in our Two Acres vineyard. Mondeuse is known to produce an exceptionally long-lived wine. In some years, as in 1998 and 2001, we blend the single barrel into our other wines. In other years, such as 1999 and 2000, it's so delicious on its own that we bottle it separately.
Tasting Note:
Dark garnet. Aromas of cardamom, rose petal, licorice, pine, and black cherry. Smells like Christmas! The wine enters very full and rich with explosive black cherry fruit on the palate. Quite juicy and succulent. Amazingly ripe for a Mondeuse but not at all fat. Mouth-watering acidity and dusty tannins kick in at mid-palate through the finish. Optimum time to drink this wine? If you're a tannin pig, it certainly can be enjoyed now with an aerative decanting well in advance. However, we would recommend enjoying this wine between 2008 and 2020. Truly a unique wine! (MRO - 6/30/02)