2018 MADSON WINES “LES ENFANTS DU SOLEIL” – SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
Chardonnay
Winemaking details: This local wine comes from two vineyards practicing organic farming techniques. The majority (66%) is from the PM Staiger Vineyard near Boulder Creek, which is old, own-rooted vines. The rest (34%) is the Toyon Vineyard in the Soquel hills at about 400ft elevation. After hand harvesting, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed and fermented naturally. The wine goes through full native ML fermentation and the wine only sees a small amount of sulfur at bottling.
Color: Brilliant Gold
Bouquet: Green apples, lemon and lime blossom, starfruit, dried pineapple, wet stones and sea air.
Palate: A full and pleasant mouthfeel with sharp acidity and a slight creaminess. With great depth and many tiers of flavors from minerals to flowers and fruit, this wine has a long lasting and mouth-watering finish. Some great pairings would be local grilled salmon (in season now), dungeness crab with a lemon-butter sauce, or a simple pasta dish with brie cheese.
This wine is drinking great now, but will cellar an additional 5-7 years.
Further information can be found here: https://www.madsonwines.com/
2018 BOW & ARROW – WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON
Pinot Noir
Winemaking details: These grapes come from the Walnut Ridge Vineyard which was planted in 2000 near Eugene. Because of the Bellpine soils (high clay content), the vines are all dry farmed. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented partially whole-cluster with some carbonic maceration. There are no additions aside from a small amount of sulfur before bottling.
Color: Pale Ruby
Bouquet: Wild raspberry, graphite, plum, wet earth, baking spices, cherry.
Palate: This medium bodied wine has dusty tannins and a full but soft mouthfeel. The acidity is pleasant and balanced by the fresh darker fruits. A layered red with an especially lingering earthiness, characteristic of Pinot Noir from this area, full of mushroom, duck sauce, and forest floor. This wine would taste great with smoked duck and grilled mushrooms.
Enjoy this wine now or cellar it up to five years.
Further information can be found here: https://www.bowandarrowwines.com/