Topel

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/8/8

2010 Chardonnay Classique Mendocino County $35/$/$26

Has the color of a sauvignon blanc. Fresh, tropical fruits on the nose and the palate. Easy-drinking, but pricey for a simple chardonnay.

2009 Pinot Noir Reserve – Monterey $40/$/$40

Perfect pinot nose.  This is what a pinot should always smell like. The smoky, tobacco, cola scents are well coupled with the cherry. There’s only a thin, silky finish after the sour cherries dissipate.

2009 Monhoff Vineyard Zinfandel $30/$/$-

Bright blackcurrant, raspberry with some notes of vanilla on the nose. The thin body left the sense of the fruits in skin form. It was a little disappointing…

2007 Extended Elevage Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon $50/$/$55

Big rose on the nose, with clove from the stove.  Very smooth, dusty finish, with hints of plum and black currant.

2007 Battuello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $40/$/$55

Brighter fruit on the nose, with only hints of floral aromas. The fruit is reminiscent of dark berries. The finish is dusty with lingering alcohol.  This is a drink alone wine, akin to a juicy meritage.

2008 Battuello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $40/$/$60

The nose on this is the best, yet, with more complexity that includes dark berries, peppercorn, and a white pepper.  The palate seemed to fall just short, but I may be a bit too critical. The wine has a tattered velvet finish with bright berries.

2006 Meritage – Le Mariage Mendocino County $36/$/$55

60 cabernet 25 merlot 10 petite verdot 5 malbec

Big deep earth and deep dark berries on nose and the palate. Awesome! I was enjoying it so much I couldn’t take decent notes!

2007 Red Blend Topel Estate Blend Mendocino County $36/$/$-

Nice dark fruits, but a little muted nose. The finish is dark, and velvety, but a bit drying to the palate.  The fruits on the nose don’t flow as smoothly over the palate as you’d expect…a little bit of a sour taste is what dries on the finish.

2007 Syrah Noir Cuvee’ Donnis $32/$/$35

Dark fruits with juicy flavors/$feel.  Slightly earthy and dusty.  The fruits flow richly over the palate with a very nice earthy finish. 

2009 Petite Syrah, Topel Estate Vineyard $36/$/$35

Very woody nose, with notes of red currant, vanilla, and rose.  It has a silky finish with red currant and anise.