De Loach - 40
DeLoach is another in a long line of wineries with a well-known name. And, like many others, an established name I had yet to taste. It is a winery that has been around since the 1970s -- not something many wineries can lay claim to. This was a continuation of the open barrel Wine Road weekend tasting of the Russian River Valley.
One of the very charming elements of DeLoach for me was the physical building which is dark and slightly mysterious with shake roof and gated entries. The entry way is very much like a Japanese zen garden. Upon your entry is a Tanuki which is a raccoon/dog-like animal (much like a badger) who has much mythology surrounding him, most of which involve his jovial demeanor. He is seen in Japan mostly around drinking taverns and has been called The God of Drinking (mostly sake, but wine works just fine here).
Their wine offerings are extensive with a number of vintages available of Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a single vintage of Merlot. I found it quite admirable that multiple vintages are still available to taste as well as for sale. Many wineries library their older vintages to be sold at a later date for a higher price. It is extremely informative to be able to taste a number of years of the same wine in one tasting.
BARREL SAMPLES
2004 Pinot Noir, Clone 5, Russian River Valley - Bright, candy raspberry aromas. Effervescent upon entry and extremely fruit forward. Cherry mid palate gives way to a long, bright finish. Not yet priced.
2004 Estate Pinot Noir - Initial aroma and taste of a hint of green fruit subsides to produce a young berry and some cinnamon in the finish. More candy in the mid-palate. Not yet priced.
2004 Pinot Noir, Clone 667, Russian River Valley - Darker color and tone with layered, spicy aromas. Silky entry with an elegant balance. The dark, velvety finish continues but is punctuated with a bright note. Not yet priced.
2004 Pinot Noir, Clone 777, Russian River Valley - Thin, strident bouquet does not prepare for the candy-like mouth entry which turns dark and rich with blackberry and raspberry. Spicy, layered finish. Not yet priced.
FROM THE LIBRARY BOTTLES
1999 Gewurztraminer - Tropical fruit and peach aromas anticipate the sweet, full apricot and bubblegum tastes. Full entry and spicy finish are a bit sweeter than I normally like. There were no tech sheets available, but I would anticipate this wine having a residual sugar higher than 1%. <price given was a special that day -- sorry I didn't write it down>
2000 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley - Pale color. Vegetal aromas. Limp entry. <price given was a special that day -- sorry I didn't write it down>
1999 Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Olivet Ranch - Corked (but was being poured anyway). <price given was a special that day -- sorry I didn't write it down>
2000 Estate Chardonnay, Russian River OFS (Our Finest Selection) - Too much asparagus noise and thin entry. <price given was a special that day -- sorry I didn't write it down>
1999 Sangiovese, Los Amigos - Dark berry color with a hint of green bell pepper nose. Complex tastes of candied licorice, black pepper, and spiced anise. The spicy entry subsides a bit to reveal fruit at the end. <price given was a special that day -- sorry I didn't write it down>
2000 Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley - A bit murky orange in color. Spicy nose with a sharp entry mellows considerably to produce even fruit. <price given was a special that day -- sorry I didn't write it down>
FROM THE TASTING ROOM
2001 Pinot Noir Estate - Strawberry and raspberry aromas anticipate the full, opulent entry. Spicy finish with a hint of vanilla. $18.00
2002 Pinot Noir Estate - Strong oak bouquet which subsides to produce some floral notes of rose. Thin entry rounds out more than I would have anticipated with a very dry finish. $18.00
2002 Pinot Noir O.F.S. - Perfumey, sweet overtones entice. Layered entry that includes black cherry and a tight finish. $30.00
1999 Port, Hook & Ladder - A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel, in the ruby style. Young cherry and berry is almost too sweet with a hot finish. $36.00
DeLoach Vineyards, Inc. ~ 1791 Olivet Road ~ Santa Rosa ~ CA ~ 95401 ~ 707-526-9111
THE TASTING ROOM AT DELOACH WILL BE A SAD PLACE FROM HERE ON OUT! THE FRIENDLY FACE OF JOANNY GOODWIN HAS BEEN RELEAVED OF HER EMPLOYMENT. GOD HELP THE FRENCH WITH OUT HER!
Posted by: LEW PETERSON | March 20, 2005 at 02:55 PM