Soquel
Vineyards’ boutique winery is situated miles up narrow roads
in the mountains
above Santa Cruz. It
was established by
twin brothers Paul and Peter Bargetto and the partner Jon Morgan (none
of whom
was unfortunately there or at least available on the day I visited).
They make
around 5000-7000 cases in total per annum.
Their sales are virtually all local.
Their
vineyards are planted primarily with cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay,
merlot,
pinot noir, syrah, zinfandel and most recently nebbiolo. Unfortunately, despite
making an appointment
well ahead of time, only a small selection of their wines were
available to
taste, and most were at the end of the bottles, with no willingness
shown to
open new bottles, presumably as they were wanting to head off home.
2005
Chardonnay, Santa Cruz
Mountains, Soquel,
14.3%
This undergoes 50% malolactic fermentation: apparently many of the
coastal vineyards do some malo, but inland they don't, because of the
heat.
A crisp, gently buttery, perfumed chardonnay nose, with some very
fresh, almost sawdusty oak. Round and well-flavoured on the palate with
some real tropical fruit flavours. Great balance. A very impressive
wine. Very Good Indeed+
2005 Pinot
Noir Partner’s Reserve,
Muns Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, Soquel, 14.3%
From grapes grown in the Muns Vineyard on Summit Road.
It has slightly plummy red fruit on the nose
with a hint of unripe époisses skins.
Very full flavoured, but not at all hot.
It really opens up in the glass with lovely young pinot
noir flavours.
2005
Zinfandel Schmierer Vineyard,
Lodi, Soquel Vineyards, 14.8%
The vineyards of the delta rounds around Lodi, on the east of San
Francisco
Bay, is one of the heartlands of Californian Zinfandel, with some
venerable old
vines. This wine
comes from grapes from
ancient 105 year old vines. There’s
delicate
blackberry fruit and some woody spice on the nose.
Full and round on the palate, it carries its
alcohol very well. This
is a nice, neat,
well-crafted wine with notably good concentration, but not at all
overdone. Superb
stuff.
2004 Cabernet
Sauvignon Partners’
Reserve, Santa Cruz Mountains, Soquel Vineyards, 14.4%
This has a very subdued nose with some nice cabernet fruit. It’s very
focussed on the attack, but it
becomes a bit warm on the palate.
But
then it goes on to finish reasonably well. It
just feels a bit ordinary.
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Last updated: 2 January 2008