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Just north of Ukiah in Mendocino County, California, Charlie Barra grows grapes, and he’s got a little bit of experience. This year, he’ll complete his 71st harvest. The organic fruit he oversees produces the wines from Barra of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards, which deliver great values year after year.
Barra 2014 Pinot Noir
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Mendocino County, California
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of ripe strawberries, bing cherries, and black plums come together with elements of spice and floral earth on the nose. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, and plum interweave with undertones of vanilla, earth, and all-spice on the palate. Elegant tannins and abundant red fruit make this wine a fine match for pork tenderloin. 390 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Girasole 2015 Pinot Blanc
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Blanc
Region: Mendocino County, California
Price: 10-15
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of pears, apples, white blossoms, and minerals rise up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors of ripe pear, tart apple, and melon that flow into expressions of honeysuckle and chalky earth. Offering lush fruit with a bright mineral backbone, it will pair nicely with your favorite shrimp Chinese take-out dish. 800 cases produced.
Rating: 87
Barra 2015 Chardonnay
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County, California
Price: 15-20
Tasting Notes:
Notes of pears and golden apples meld with suggestions of vanilla and citrus peal on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of pear, apple, and Meyer lemon, alongside hints of toasty vanilla and butterscotch. A Chardonnay with a welcoming acidity that still retains a bit of richness on the palate, a lobster tail with melted butter would make a lovely pairing. 599 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Girasole 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Sangiovese
Region: Mendocino County, California
Price: 10-15
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of raspberries, cherries, and plums mingle with nuances of rosemary, spice, and earth on the nose. With a sip, flavors of cherry, plum, and cranberry unfold into highlights of baking spice, fresh herbs, and earth. A lighter, brighter Cab than many, with plush tannins, it’s ideal for your next cook out. 2,400 case produced.
Rating: 90
