2008 Mendocino Wine Company Zig Zag Chardonnay

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Mission Codename: High Marks

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: In time for Springtime sipping, entertaining and enjoyment, send Agent Red in search of a delicious Mendocino County Chardonnay. Procure an ample allocation for our thirsty Operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Mendocino Wine Company

Wine Subject: 2008 Zig Zag Chard – Mendocino County Chardonnay

Winemaker:

Backgrounder: The Mendocino AVA, located along the Russian River and highway 101 north of Sonoma County is where the grapes for this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon were grown. The actual AVA is centered between Hopland and Ukiah in the southern third of the county and are heavily influenced by the climate which is regulated by the mountain ridges that surround the upper Russian River. The deep alluvial and gravelly loam soils also contribute to the flavor profile of the grapes grown in the region. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are the primary grapes grown here.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Lightest golden hues, with glinting edges that catch the light when you spin the wine. When the wine settles, tall, chubby columns fall slowly down the glass wall.

Smell – Hawthorn, acacia, honeysuckle and sweet lemon zest jump from the glass. White peach, pineapple, green apple and softly spiced oak follow closely.

Feel – Very soft and smooth on entry, the wine glides quickly across the palate. After a few moments, a very soft dryness appears at the edges of the palate, slowly spreading inward and eventually spreading to the lips and cheeks.

Taste – Soft and smooth, flavors of sweet lemon curd, white flowers, white peach, pineapple and sweet key lime.

Finish – Medium in length, with tart fruit yielding to sweet. At the end, flint, white flowers and a hint of white pepper persist.

Conclusion – This easy-drinking 2008 Zig Zag Chard is a budget-minded wine, from our friends at Mendocino Wine Company (whose wines we’ve featured in the past), that is the sort that one stocks up on. This is great wine for your springtime parties, barbecues, picnics or just some lazy weekend sipping. Soft and flavorful, with a light body and an easy structure, this is a less complex wine than we have come to enjoy from Mendocino, but it still has that characteristicMendo fruit quality that we have tasted in previous Mendocino Chardonnay offerings. So, dear Operative, if you are looking for a wine for your next soiree, or one to keep on hand for those white wine drinkers in your life, you should consider picking up a case or two – before we run out.