This flight features two Mendo wines, one Zinfandel and the other Primitivo.
Chiarito Mendocino Estate Bottled Zinfandel 2004
Quite structured with concentration of berries to keep up – a little warm. There’s 11% Petite Sirah in the final blend. Aging was 21 months in French oak, egg white fined and bottled unfiltered. GP&B Ukiah 15.1% $21 at Traverso’s Chiarito
Brutocao Mendocino Contento Vineyard Estate Bottled Primitivo 2004
During the recent wine club party at Brutocao in July, this wine shined when poured alongside a competitor from the south of Italy. What stood out was the ripe fruit without any hints of baking in the sun, in spite of the generous alcohol. The bottle tonight was unfortunately quite funky to smell. The vivacious fruit was there in the mouth but the smell was tough to bear in this bottle. Unfiltered, GP&B in Hopland 15.3% $20 at the winery though I think they’re sold out as they are onto the 2005 Brutocao
