Unti

TRL/Staff/Wine: 6/9/9

We weren't sure Unti would be tasting this year, as they kind of prefer to stay a little lower-keyed. Fortunately, they were open for business...

2007 Grenache

Full grenache! Good, but the finish is really short.

2007 Zinfandel

Nice spice, but fruit is understated. No acidity to ruin the search for fruit... Just no excuse for the lack of fruit. Oh...wait...yeah, this is what's considered an Italian style zinfandel. Not my taste.

2008 Barbera

Not to be released until May (280 cases), but it'll be worth the return trip. Of all the barberas I've had, I enjoy this one the most.

2005 Benchland Syrah

Smoky nose and full of flavor. Quite honestly, the Unti syrahs are the standard by which I measure most other syrahs.

2005 Syrah Reserve Dry Creek Valley

Fantastic nose with a wonderfully balanced palate. The amazing thing about this syrah was the whole cluster fermentation, which often leaves the syrah tasting a little green; nothing could be further from the truth, here.