The following three wines from Paul Dolan Vineyards are made by Mendocino Wine Co. located in Ukiah, California. We received all three wines as tasting samples. These wines are of particular interest to me because they are made from organically grown grapes. Whenever I buy food, and I consider wine to be food, I look for organic options. So, naturally, I am drawn to wine produced organically.
These wines carry the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) logo and the statement: Made with organically grown grapes. CCOF is a USDA (US Department of Agriculture) authorized third-party accredited certifying agent that verifies compliance with organic regulations. Added sulfites are allowed, but sulfur dioxide may only be up to 100 ppm in the wine.
2015 Paul Dolan Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc — pale yellow in the glass with generous tropical fruit aromas and hints of oat hay. The flavors mostly follow along with the tropical fruit aromas with the addition of white flowers and hints of dry grass in the background. Citrusy acidity gives this wine a clean finish with flavor and a bit of citrus pith. 14.5% abv. $18
This is a pleasant summer sipper that is just a bit herbaceous underneath the dominant tropical fruit flavors. It would be perfect on a warm afternoon with appetizers or to sip while preparing dinner. It’s not the most complex Sauvignon Blanc I’ve tasted, but it is very pleasant to drink.
2014 Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel — dense ruby garnet in the glass with generous ripe blackberry and blueberry aromas. Sweet dark berry flavors combine with earth and black pepper for a complex, fruit-forward flavor supported by drying tannins. The finish lasts a good long time. 15% abv. $25
There is plenty of flavor in this wine, it is the most flavorful of the group, with just a hint of sweetness and fairly long-lasting flavors. This wine is easy to like and will please a wide range of Zinfandel lovers. This Zin will be delicious with a meaty pizza or grilled burgers. No need to hold back on the barbecue sauce.
2015 Paul Dolan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon — dense ruby violet in the glass with generous aromas of dried herbs, dark fruit and cedar. Leather and dusty earth flavors are out front with dark fruit playing a more supporting role along with cedar and alfalfa hay over time. Significant, drying tannins linger on the finish which is on the short side of medium in length. 14.5% abv. $25
This is a restrained Cabernet and rather than tasting like a recent vintage, it tastes like one that is several years older; though the wine still looks youthful in the glass and still has substantial tannins. Give this wine some time to open up, flavors developed wine with time in the glass. Don’t pair this wine with food that is to big or spicy.
Cheers!
