Barham Mendelsohn Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2012
In the Fall of 2018 I took a trip to Santa Barbara, CA to visit a few selective wineries and taste some of their current offerings, particularly the Rhone blends. There were four of us tasting wines and my comments, on each of the wines tasted, incorporate nuances from everyone’s palate. It was a great trip, the wines were outstanding and the folks I met at each of the wineries were extremely informative, helpful and very generous with their time. The wineries have “Wine Clubs” which offer some tremendous, small production, wines that can only be obtained directly from the vineyard. I recommend to try a “Club”, click this “WineClubLink” to go to their site. I highly recommend a trip to Santa Barbara, you will not be disappointed! Keep checking back with SippingFineWine.com for all of the wineries visited, wines tasted and comments regarding the wines, wineries and folks I met.
At Au Bon Climat, winemaker/owner Jim Clendenen, fascinated by all aspects of wine, is involved in a number of wine labels and partnerships, Barham Mendelsohn, to name one. I was able to taste the Pinot. In 1998, Barbara Barham Mendelsohn and Richard Mendelsohn planted 5 acres of Pinot Noir on Lala Panzi Ranch in the Russian River Valley near Healdsburg in Sonoma County, same year that Jim Clendenen planted his Le Bon Climat estate in the Santa Maria Valley. They had similar visions on Pinot’s and thus led to this relationship.
Aged in predominately new Allier and Vosges forest wood. Aromas of berry fruits with a dusty earthy nose. On the palate, berry flavors come forth with hints of tea and spice. Medium length, sticky tannins, ending with earthy character, to me it was good but lacked luster you get from a younger Pinot. Tasting Sample!
Cheers!