Mini-vertical of Mendocino SB

[Bucko]

Husch, Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino. A three-year vertical, 97-99, was tasted at lunch yesterday. The 97 is a powerhouse, with lemon/citrus aromas and flavors, lean, steely, a hint of grassiness, and still quite youthful -- very good. The grapes were harvested September 2-5, one of the earliest years that they have picked at Husch. The 98 (a rough year for grapes to ripen) was less intense, soft, less acidic bite, a touch of the mown hay, and should be consumed short term. The grapes were harvested October 6-9. The 1999 falls in-between the other two, having nice lemon fruit, vanilla nuances, and food-friendly acidity. There is just a hint of herbaceousness on the aftertaste. Harvest time was September 13-24.

I continue to be unimpressed (in general) with the 98 vintage in N. CA, with thin, unripe flavors.

Bucko

[Innkeeper]

Which is why we are tentatively planning a trip to the Central Coast next month. Most, if not all, of the '98s of various wines we've had from there have passed muster.

[Bucko]

Good point -- you can't lump CA together when referring to wines. Various viticultural areas have dramatic differences from year to year. Even in the same areas, there are microclimates that often succeed when others do marginally.

Bucko