The Tasting Panel magazine

September 2014

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84  /  the tasting panel  /  september 2014 Franciscan bedrock covered by alluvial soil, uplifted sandstone, granite and clay, all offering proper drainage. KIMMEL VINEYARDS TODAY There are no wineries in Potter Valley—only vineyards. As growers for over 25 years, selling to top-tier Northern California labels, the Kimmel family decided to select their own grapes from the 2007 Chardonnay and Merlot crop to custom crush and bottle under their eponymous brand. Regalia recom- mended varietals to add to the vineyards, and now the ranch produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. Kimmel Vineyards is also one of only around 50 vineyards in California to be Certified Sustainable. As proud as the Kimmel family is about their ranch, it only makes sense to them to protect the environment and the land they love. Headed by Nana Kimmel, day-to-day operations are handled by sons Jim and Gary, shipping is run by granddaugh- ters Kelly Kimmel and Kristy Kimmel Olsen, and vineyard certification for sustainable operation is headed by Jill Kimmel Whitacre. And while wine- maker Bruce Regalia has the final task of making the perfect wine, Certified Sommelier Jason Kimmel is really the only family member who knows what Bruce is taking about—although, all the family members are "tasters." The Kimmel Line-Up Just about every one of Kimmel's wines has garnered medals at some of the country's top wine competitions, including, of course, our own San Francisco International Wine Competition, where the 2010 Kimmel Chardonnay won the Gold last year. These wines over-deliver on value and quality and speak volumes for the Mendocino AVA and the Potter Valley region. Here are some of my top picks! Kimmel 2012 Four Blocks Collection Chardonnay, Mendocino County ($19) is whole-cluster pressed and cold settled. It is racked and all stainless steel fermented. Tropical notes of pineapple and mango are delicious and fresh (no lees stirring, but it is creamy) with a white floral finish. Clean, lovely with fine acidity and quite feminine. 92 Kimmel 2012 Chardonnay, Mendocino ($32) is a subtly oaked, butterscotch-palated, candied pineapple sipper. Chamomile tea and an underlying minerality add complexity. Aged 12 months in French oak. 92 Kimmel 2012 Four Blocks Collection Merlot, Mendocino (sold out) is ripe and earthy, with bright strawberry-in-the-soil notes. White pepper spices up the fruity nature, but the chocolate pudding effect brings a sweet quality as well as body. 92 Kimmel 2010 Merlot, Mendocino ($38) This age- worthy purple-opaque beauty charms you with aromat- ics that waft from the glass: spiced blackberry dusted with cocoa. Blessed with ripe plums and deep, inky black fruit, the powdered dark chocolate cocoa actually coats the tongue, leading a path to great acidity and a gobby body. Aged for 20 months in 100% French oak (using several cooperages), this generous red is a stand-out. 94 For trade inquiries, contact Jim Moeller, National President of Sales, 949-813-8003 or Jim Kimmel, 707-743-1400. www.kimmelvineyards.com Winemaker Bruce Regalia comes with more pedigree than just his Labrador pup. He was the former winemaker for Duckhorn and headed its high-profile Pinot Noir project, Goldeneye. Jim Kimmel took THE TASTING PANEL's Publisher/Editorial Director Meridith May bass fishing in one of the well-stocked lakes on the Kimwood property.

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