Comstock Wines in California just had their grand opening weekend on August 22. I was fortunate enough to get to poke around and taste through the portfolio a little early while I was in the area. I’m not going to post any photos of the actual winery because while the outside was up and running we got to see the tasting bar and private spaces all under construction. It just wouldn’t do the property justice. I can tell you that I am looking forward to returning to see the winery when everything is finished. While building itself is under construction the portfolio for the winery is definitely not. It is solid and well priced delivering very good quality for your dollar.
2013 Sauvignon Blanc – $24.00USD – ***1/2+ – Sauvignon Blanc was a surprise on my trip and it seems to be creeping up on the radar very quickly from many wine regions. It is very expressive of terroir and while all Sauv Blanc has similar traits they taste very different. This wine is loads of tropical with hints of peach and white flower on the nose and in the glass. The acidity is perfectly balanced. The finish is crisp and clean with nice tropical notes that linger right to the roof of your mouth. This is a perfect patio sipper for hot weather.
2013 Chardonnay – $39.00USD – ****+ – Perfectly balanced is what I have to exclaim about this wine from the beginning. The nose is buttered popcorn with peach and pear mixed in their for good measure. The flavours continue with the buttered popcorn, peach, pear and orange to round out the package. The beautiful acidity on the finish of this wine leaves you with vanilla and just the slightest hints of baking spice on the finish. This is just a wonderful Chardonnay and one of those wines that I would not want to pair with food and just let that beautiful finish linger.
2012 Dry Creek Zinfandel – $36.00USD – ****+ – This is the Zinfandel I was hoping to find on my trip to California. Beautifully concentrated flavours of raisin and black plum that climb right out of the glass and into your nose. The flavours are raisin, plum, blackberry and cassis with nice meaty tannins on the mid palate. In spite of the signature bold fruit flavours there is a nice acidity and good balance to the finish of this wine. This is begging to be paired with a rare rib steak or striploin from the barbeque.
2012 Rockpile Zinfandel – $42.00USD – **** – A little more delicate than the Dry Creek Zin. The nose has a floral quality that as the wine unravels in your glass makes way to smoke and plum. The flavours in the wine are Plum, Blackberry, Cassis with Smoke and Coffee on the finish. The tannin is firm but approachable right now. You could easily age this wine for 10-12 years in your cellar or open it up right now and serve it after an hour or two in a decanter.
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon – $55.00USD – ****+ – Even at fifty five dollars this is great value to add to a growing wine cellar this wine is made to go the distance and will age for 10-15 years (maybe longer). The nose is Cocoa and Pencil Shavings but after many swirls in my glass the wine begins to reveal some fruit. The fruit buried underneath the firm tannin is Plum, Blackberry, Dark Cherry and Currant. Opening this wine now would be a crime, but if you are impatient you will need to leave this in a decanter for 2-4 hours before approaching. I am looking forward to returning to Comstock both to see the finished winery and to revisit this wine.
