Winery
of the Week:
Seebass Vineyards - Mendocino County
By FBWorld Team
The
Folks at Seebass Vineyards have been growing grapes
on their estate, in the Ukiah Valley, east of the Russian River
against the benchlands of the Mayacama Mountains for 30 years.
Much of that fruit is sold to Clos du Bois, Kendall Jackson,
Hess Collection, Paul Dolan, Graziano Family of Wines and other
fine wineries in the area. But a select amount goes into producing
Seebass wines, which only totals about 1,200 cases per year.
Here's
what our tasting panel thought about a handful of their current
offerings:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Seebass
2012 Grand Reserve Chardonnay
Winery:
Seebass Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 35-40
Review:
A bouquet of fresh apples, pears, and lime zest greets
the senses. With a sip, flavors of golden apple, sweet
lime, and ripe pear emerge with accents of buttery oak,
limestone, and nutty suggestions. A creamy Chardonnay
that's framed by a mineral backbone, fans of rich, mouthfilling
whites will enjoy this wine. 240 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Seebass
2011 Grand Reserve Chardonnay
Winery:
Seebass Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 35-40
Review:
Fragrances of apple and pear mingle with hints of creamy
oak and sweet spice. Flavors of tart apple and baked pear
come together with suggestions of citrus zest, butter,
and minerals on that palate. Fairly round but balanced
by a welcoming acidity, enjoy a bottle with white fish
in a creamy sauce. 189 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Seebass
2012 Chardonnay
Winery:
Seebass Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
Notes of tropical fruit, peach, and grapefruit rise up
from a glass. Tart pineapple, white peach, and ruby red
grapefruit flavors meld with nuances of cream on the palate.
A lively wine with bright fruit flavors, if you're over
creamy and buttery, this is a Chardonnay to try. 270 cases
produced.
Rating: 87 |
|
Seebass
2011 Syrah
Winery:
Seebass Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and plums meld with
notes of pepper and cocoa on the nose. The palate delivers
flavors of blackberry, cherry, and blueberry that interweave
with suggestions of sweet spice, pepper, and baker's chocolate.
Dark and fairly robust with supple tannins, fans of heartier
Syrah, that's not too fruit driven, will enjoy this bottle.
230 were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Seebass
2013 "Fantasie" Rosé
Winery:
Seebass Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Grenche
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, strawberries, and watermelon rise
up from a glass. Ripe, sweet red fruit emerges on the
palate, accented by hints of minerals on the palate. A
lush, approachable wine with a friendly acidity, it will
pair nicely with a seafood salad or a sunny afternoon.
160 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|