Gopfrich

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/9/9 

Over the years, we've always had a special place in our hearts for this winery, but as I look back over my notes, we've never really given it a critical review. Today's stop endeavors to do so...but, of course, the charm of the experience makes the wine taste better!

Ray was as sharp and affable as ever, welcoming us late in the day. It had been a couple of years since we saw him last and he was as enthused about seeing us as we were to see him.  I've said it before, just because Ray requires an appointment, don't be deterred. He's incredibly accommodating and it's well worth your while to make a quick phone call.

It should be noted that Lisa took all of the notes here, today; I was just enjoying the experience. Post facto, I've made some edits, but her notes I've italicized and left alone.  Largely, my impressions are very consistent with hers.

2010 Zinfandel $28/$22/$35

Nose has a lovely spice, not too overwhelming, but distinctly Goepfrich in the woodiness of it. Quite fruit forward.  Delicious peppery, spicy, but full of dark rich fruits for easy drinking.

2010 Merlot   $30/$24/$32

A bit of green pepper on the nose, very inticing aromas; palate is mild compared to the nose with some cherry and blackberry.

This is never a tannic merlot, but it's one that both intrigues and satisfies. The fruit complexity is off the chart.

2010 Cuvee  $32/$26/$46

35% merlot; 35% syrah; 15% zin; 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Baked spices on the nose along with baked dutch apples for Mom, but beautifully balanced with a richer fruit palate.

Yeah, I don't know what the hell she's talking about (either of them). This is just a classic DCV cuvee, rich in blackberry, red currant, vanilla, and cinnamon. This is going to be so enjoyable to pull the cork and erase the day.

2010 Syrah $30/$24/$45

Again, baked spices, but this has a great sharp spice with a nice balanced baked dinner.  Mom loves this wine.  Palate feels velvety like it was open for a long time, but still tasted full bodied and perfectly Syrah.

Ok, so the best I can come up with is that the vanilla and cinnamon are making them think of baked apples. It's an unusual combination when you add the red currant, and you wonder how the hell this kind of thing happened, but there it is anyway. This is one of the appeals to this winery, for me.  It creates unique, sometimes atypical wines out of its grapes. 

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon $38/$31/$42

Complex nose.  Has spice and dark fruits again, but I smell cherry in this one, (when I didn’t on the previous ones), plum; the palate does not follow as richly as the nose implied, but this is still a good cab which will probably develop a little more.

He's in a tough position here, because if anyone is able to get their hands on his 2010 vintage of this wine, they'll never want anything else. Before we left, he thiefed a little out of the barrel and it was spectacular. Again, for those of you who are accustomed to Napa cabs, this won't seem right, absent the tannic backbone that affords you the ability to lay it down for 20 years. As Ray was keen to point out (in his self-effacing manner), he doesn't have that kind of time...so he makes his cabs to be consumed sooner. And I would...if there was any of it to go around. This year's crop was fully allocated through futures purchases.  He let me in on a secret though... He sells his zinfandel grapes to Simi and his cabernet sauvignon grapes to Franciscan (in Oakville). Hmmm...

2010 Zinfandel Rose' $18/$16/$16

Nice clean rose.  This definitely tastes like it has some residual sugars, but it settles down and dries out to offer a good Rose’ flavor.