Mirassou Vineyards

To start the new year off in a really great way, Mirassou vineyards, a California icon, who has been making wines in that state for 150 years, has released its newest vintages and they are a tribute to Mirassou, and the California style of winemaking which they had a major role in developing.
It was many, many years ago when the Mirassou family opted to abandon the tried and true, and might we add boring, French style of winemaking and take full advantage of the high quality fruit that grows in California. Throughout the ensuing generations of Mirassou vintners they have honed that style to near perfection and today produce some of California’s most interesting wines while maintaining an affordable price structure.
Mirassou 2009 California Pinot Noir ($12). A delightful ruby colored wine heralds a wine with a substantial body and a very big flavor. The aroma is, to say the least, an ever expanding calliope concentrating on dark cherry and plum with hints of spice and tobacco. There are the flavors of cherries and plums along with hints of cloves and a background of spicy oak. The finish too is excellent, being long, fruity, and complex. It is a wine whose modest price belies it exceptional quality and a wine that can accompany most meat dishes as well as the full flavored sea foods.
Mirassou 2009 Pinot Grigio ($12). If you like Pinot Grigio, you will love this wine. If you have never tried this style of Italian wine you have missed a great treat. Pinot grigio is rapidly becoming one of America’s most popular white wines and a wine like the Mirassou 2009 Pinot Grigio is one of the reasons why. This delightful wine displays a crystal clear, pale straw color and an aroma that is reminiscent of summer wild flowers and fresh Bosc pears. On the palate, the wine is almost totally dry, but the fruit flavors give the impression of sweetness. The Mirassou 2009 Pinot Grigio also displays a moderately long, flavorful finish. This is an excellent wine that can accompany a wide variety of foods, but it is a standout with shrimp, mild cheese based dishes or and as an aperitif.
Mirassou 2010 Chardonnay ($12). It must be the soil, the weather, the altitude, or maybe it is fairy dust but the chardonnay from Mirassou is, like the cabernet, very different and very good. How they do it is not as important as what they do; they add new flavors and depth to an all too familiar wine. The Mirassou 2010 Chardonnay has a light body and plenty of flavor and aroma. The aroma and flavor seem to meet and concentrate on fig, apricot, pear and oak with lemon and vanilla in the background. The wine has that certain something, a definite mineral element in the flavor, derived from the soil, which is passed onto the wine. All in all, it is a very elegant chardonnay that can easily rival the best from any region in California.
Mirassou 2009 Merlot ($12). With the glut of merlot wines presently on the market, the field is wide open and the choices almost unlimited. To tell the truth, most of these wines are more than adequate, the object is however, to get the best value for your wine buying dollar. The Mirassou 2009 Merlot is a fine example of the quality that can be obtained at a very reasonable price. This wine displays a vibrant ruby red color and the prominent aroma of ripe cherries and plums wrapped in a soft robe of oak. These aromas are mirrored in the flavor and are enhanced by a near perfect acid balance. While not as fruity as a Zinfandel, this merlot is no slacker in that department and accents dignified amounts of blackberries and blueberries just enough oak to add to but not interfere with the flavor. What we have to say about this wine is simple and to the point; try it; you’ll love it.