File under "Ass"...

[cpurvis]

Since grapes are fruit, I typically expect to taste some. HOWEVER, I admire the vintners who allow a vintage to do as it will, & personally appreciate flavor variety (e.g. the $3.99 Citra M d'A tar baby a couple months ago).

For example, just returned from another Passport Day tour in the Santa Cruz Mtns. searching out the obscure places. Last stop was Trout Gulch Vineyards, whose belief is "GREAT wine begins in the vineyard," & who don't do much finessing. Tasted 3 pinots: '95, '97, '99. The first was decent but not memorable. The '97 was fruity. But the '99 was out-of-category for me...couldn't define the distinct aroma or the flavors as individual fruity or earthy tastes. Asked the maker & he said "herbal" would be a starting point.

Bottom line: we bought the '99. It needs to be cellared for awhile, but of 20 wines tasted it was the unique, enjoyable, challenge-the-tastebud-boundaries wine for the day.

"Variety, the spice of life"...& the taste of good wine! cp