VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Oppenlander

AppellationMendocino County
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Waits-Mast Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 118 cases, $45. Released November 2018. Vineyard is located outside the town of Comptche, 8.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Consistently cool temperatures pervade the growing season and harvest is late. Clones 115 and Pommard. 100% de-stemmed, native yeast fermentation, aged 16 months in a mix of once-used, twice-used and neutral French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Light garnet color in the glass. Elegantly styled, with aromas of cherry, strawberry, tobacco leaf and toast. Discreet in weight, with refreshing flavors of cherry, raspberry and allspice. Good vibrancy, with a suave mouthfeel and some finishing grace and purpose. Score: 90. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Halcón Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.52, 160 cases, $32. Vineyard is located 10 miles east of the coastal town of Mendocino and is one of the coolest vineyards in California. Dry farming and low vigor soils lead to small berries and clusters. 66% Pommard clone and 33% Dijon 115 clone. Native fermentations, no adjustments for acid or alcohol. 30% whole cluster. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose reminds me of a walk in a dark cave, with damp earth notes and black cherry in the background. The mid weight black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors have noticeable mid palate presence. Slightly rugged, with firm, gritty tannins and a slightly astringent finish. Score: 88. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Waits-Mast Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 165 cases, $45. Release September 2017.Harvest Brix 22.2º. Clones 115, 667 and Pommard. Aged in French oak barrels, 37.5% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Pleasant, but very subdued aromas of dark cherry, spice, fertile earth and oak. Inviting vibrancy and cut on the finish in a middleweight styled wine with flavors of dark cherry and berry. An underlying earthy tone and firm tannic support engage the fruit core. Unchanged when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 89. Reviewed July 9, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Waits-Mast Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 153 cases, $44. Released November 2015. This vineyard is well known although located remotely in the small town of Comptche, about 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean as the crow flies. The vineyard is owned by the Shandel family who are fifth generation owners of the property. The vineyard is exposed to marine influence and is quite cool. Harvest Brix 23.5º. Clones 114, 115 and Pommard, Aged in French oak barreks, 1 and 2-year-old and neutral. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Subdued aromas of black cherry, black berry and Christmas spices. Earthy and a bit rustic, with mid weight flavors of black cherry and blackberry with a green bramble undertone. Put together with good harmony, but doesn’t emote. Score: 88. Reviewed July 9, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Baxter Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

$60. 100% whole cluster. Aged in 100% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Enticing whole cluster accents of spice and rose petal goodness on the nose and palate. Bold flavors of earth-kissed darker fruits unencumbered by oak with a freshness and vivaciousness that appeals. Somewhat brooding and in need of decanting. Score: 92-94. Reviewed April 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Couloir Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.61, 116 cases, $38. 80% Pommard and 20% Dijon 115 clones. 50% whole cluster. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 10 months in 40% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Brooding aromas of earth-kissed dark grapes and berries. Well composed array of middleweight dark red and black fruits with a savory mushroom and earthy bent typical of this vineyard. Perfectly ripened fruit, smoothly textured in the mouth, finishing with admirable length and crispness. Very good. Reviewed July 5, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Waits-Mast Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 50 cases, $44. Released April 2013. This vineyard is located outside the town of Comptche about eight and a half miles from the Pacific Ocean as the crow flies. The Shandel family are fifth generation owners of the property. The vineyard sees consistently cool temperatures and harvest is late. Careful sorting was required to remove sunburned grapes, a result of heat spikes in August and late September. Clone 114. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 17 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of earth-kissed dark berries with a complement of oak. Intensely fruity and I mean intense. Full-bodied flavors of black plum, black currant, boysenberry, black raspberry and brewed tea. A good cut of acidity lifts the fruit and the tannins are balanced. Admirable smoothness on the palate. A typical wine for this clone and vineyard. Score: 90. Reviewed July 21, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Couloir Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.52, TA 0.61, 118 cases, $38. 50% whole cluster. 50% Pommard and 50% Dijon 115 clone. · Aged in 40% new French oak. I have never had a bad wine from this vineyard and this Pinot Noir is no exception. Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Black cherry and blackberry aromas which are subdued. Impressive essence of dark plums and berries with some soul and grip, encased in plentiful grainy tannins, and persisting on a fruit-filled, earthy finish. The tannins should smooth out over time, but this will always be a firmly structured wine. The key to enjoying this wine is pairing it with hearty food and I had this wine with my home made buffalo chili the next day from a previously opened bottle and the match was heavenly. Very good (+). Reviewed April 11, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Shandel’s Oppenlander Vineyard Comptche Mendocino County Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., >400 cases, $40, unreleased. · Moderately dark in color and darkly floral on the nose with full-bodied flavors of wild blackberries and raspberries, red plum and bittersweet chocolate. The taste is quite exotic and distinctive. The wine is nicely composed and charms with its satiny texture. The remarkably persistent finish leaves a hint of warmth in its wake. Still young and not as expressive as it will be, this one is a winner. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Phillips Hill Oppenlander Vineyard Comptche Mendocino County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 450 cases, $42. The 18-acre Oppenlander Vineyard is located 8 miles from the Mendocino Coast as the crow flies. Planted in 1998 and 1999, this is one of four vineyards in this emerging cool climate region. Dijon clones 114, 115 and 667, Pommard clone, Martini selection, all self-rooted. The soil is Oppenlander heavy clay loam unique to Comptche. Yields were 3 tons per acre. Whole berry fermentation, 4 day cold soak, 16 days on skins. Aged 11 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Label says, “The momentum of the place gives it a completeness.” · Darkest colored of the 2007 lineup. Deep, rich and dark stone and berry fruits especially black raspberry. A masculine wine reflective of this vineyard sporting muscular blackberry and black raspberry flavors with a hint of grapefruit on the back end. Still reserved and needs some time to evolve. Beautifully crafted. Reviewed June 5, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Shandel’s Oppenlander Vineyard Comptche Mendocino County Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 400 cases, $40. The Oppenlander Vineyard is located 8 miles from the Mendocino Coast as the crow flies and is just north of Anderson Valley. Pommard and Dijon clones 114 and 115 are planted in Oppenlander (510) heavy clay loam which is unique to Comptche. Several wineries are producing superb vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs from this vineyard including Adrian Fog, Baxter, and Phillips Hill Estate (see PinotFile, Volume 6, Issue 60). Fruit is also sourced and blended by Handley, Navarro and Harmonique. · I am fascinated by the Pinot Noirs I have sampled from this special vineyard. The wines have an exotic reach to them and really show off the unique terroir. This is a beguiling Pinot Noir with scents of fresh berry fruit, oak vanillin, and violets. The sweet-fruited palate of red berries coats the mouth and earth notes add interest. Robust and virile, but discreet. Reviewed July 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Phillips Hill Estates Oppenlander Vineyard Comptche Mendocino County Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 550 cases, $42. Aged 11 months in 40% new French oak. · Startling good from start to finish. Aromas of Bing cherry, grass and wet earth entice, followed by delicious bright cherry and berry flavors with an exotic bent that grows in the mouth. Silky, clean and perfectly composed with striking length. A very, very seductive Pinot. Reviewed June 9, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 Baxter Oppenlander Vineyard Mendocino Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $40. · The nose features super ripe dark cherries and herbs. The straight-forward dark cherry flavors are kissed by citrus. The finish sports fine tannins, lively acidity, a touch of astringency, and a little warmth. Reviewed June 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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