You never know what to expect when you strike up a conversation with a stranger. I certainly didn't expect to get a lead on a unknown small-production winery. It was during a trip to Napa and Sonoma in spring of 2008 that we first heard about Montemaggiore. A group of enthusiatic wine tasters next to our group got my attention and, before I knew it, I was writing down only a phone number while the tipster emphatically described why we HAD to fit it in. Problem was, we were at the last tasting of the day and an early dinner reservation was looming.
Unable to drink any more red wine (for a few hours anyway), I opted to walk around Healdsburg while the group piled back into the Jeep to try their luck at finding the winery with only a phone number to go on. The owners, in the middle of labeling and bottling, only buzzed them in because they thought they were the tipster group we had run into at the previous winery. I got to hear all about the fabulous tasting, vineyard tour, and the magnanimous owners when they returned and really started to rue my choice to stay in town. A few opened half bottles of syrah were sent back so that we didn't miss out.
We felt the wines were such a unique product at an incredible value that everyone we know has heard about them. Friends visiting Sonoma have been told to go, taste! They are converts too and the word continues to spread.
A vertical tasting of their two syrah wines was arranged and I finally got the full experience. My favorites are below.
Paolo's Vineyard Syrah 2002 - $30. Very fruit forward, perfect alone. Amazing aroma. Favorite of all the wines this evening. Later ordered several bottles to drink within the year. 89% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. 15/20
Paolo's Vineyard Syrah Hilltop Reserve 2004 - Steely, chocolate bitterness, charcoal dryness. Great aroma, but flavor and aftertaste not as strong as others in flight. 95% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14/20
Montemaggiore Superiore (Syrah blend) 2002 - $40. Herbal with tannic finish. Soft and smooth, some spice. 75% Cabernet, 25% Syrah. 14.5/20
Montemaggiore Superiore (Syrah blend) 2003 - $40. Classy, restrained style with more finesse. More tannic with some spice. Style is very different compared to '02 Syrah which was equally loved by the group. Stronger flavor than aroma. 77% Cabernet, 23% Syrah. 15/20
More at Montemaggiore.com
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