Castle Rock Winery Pinot Noir Mendocino
County 2005 Reviews

Castle Rock Winery Pinot Noir Mendocino County 2005 Tasting Notes

One never knows what one gets from Castle Rock from vintage to vintage. Why? The reason is the winery functions more in the traditional sense of a nègociant; they source surplus grapes and wine from various growers and producers throughout California, bottle it, and market it. Who knows if the Mendocino County Pinot Noir in 2005 is made from Pinot Noir from the same vineyard and same winery as in 2004?

And guess what? Sometimes asking questions in an authoritarian state gets you in trouble, and this case I don't care because Castle Rock's Greg Popovich and August "Joe" Briggs have a keen business sense and more importantly, a sharper nose and palate sense. They have the knack for delivering excellent examples of California's finest varietals. The 2005 version of their medium-bodied Mendocino County Pinot Noir from some unnamed winery is succulent, fruit-rich, and balanced. It's ready to drink now, not something I'd hold in my wine cellar for years to improve because it's not built to last as long as Egypt's pyramids. But...for right now, this is a fully realized Pinot Noir with an elegant nose of raspberry, strawberry, and violet flowers. The palate is rich with red fruit and layered with silky textures and a soft landing of a finish. For $12, there's no need to hesitate.

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