2000
Vintage Report
Your Worldwide Guide for Vintage 2000 Part 3
By Jens Strecker
Welcome to Part 3 of a three part series
providing an overview of the first vintage of the millennium. We
have reviewed the 2000 vintage from the Southern Hemisphere and
Europe and now we will visit North America to discuss the weather
and other impacts on the vineyards in this area and the resulting
vintage from that year.
Part 3 - Vintage 2000 from North America
The following is an overview of the North American Vintage 2000
categorized by region:
CALIFORNIA
This state had a cool and moist spring with a heat wave in mid June
and perfect weather in July and August with moderately warm
temperatures. Stormy weather in October produced a mixed vintage.
Very good to excellent vintage for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
(especially in Napa, Sonoma County and Santa Barbara County) and
Pinot Noir (Napa, Santa Barbara County), which were almost
completely picked before a rainstorm on October 26.
It was a difficult vintage for late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon
and Merlot due to effects of dilution; and Zinfandel, which doesn’t
like rain. The northern counties (Mendocino, Lake Counties, Monterey
and Sierra Foothills) had similar results. Expect intense,
concentrated, flavorful Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs as well as Syrah
and mixed results in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
WASHINGTON
Washington had a “Three peat” -- the third excellent vintage in a
row especially for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The
Columbia Valley experienced optimum growing conditions in the summer
with some wet, cool weather in late September and early October and
a longer harvest than normal resulting in full-bodied wine with
ripe, concentrated fruit flavors and a well-balanced acidity.
In Walla Walla, it was the vintage of the decade for
Washington Syrah. For white wines, look especially for Riesling
and Sauvignon Blanc.
OREGON
Like Washington, Oregon had an excellent vintage for the third
time in a row. The spring and summer of 2000 were warm and dry
with mild temperatures and almost no rain through September
resulting in wines with great ripeness, well-balanced acidity and
fruit concentrations. The Pinot Noirs show great ripeness, wonderful
fruit flavors and lovely tannins. The whites are showing outstanding
fruit and good acidity.
The NORTHEAST
This area had a difficult vintage. A warm and wet spring and a
cooler than normal mid summer resulted in a slower ripening. Reds
will show higher acidity than usual but have ripe flavors and good
body.
Jens' Top Picks:
Santa Barbara Winery ZCS 2000 (California) $15
The blend of Zinfandel, Carignan and Sangiovese is made from grapes
grown in select Californian vineyards planted as long as 80 years
ago. Ripe flavors of sun baked blue- and blackberries with a touch
of pepper.
Ridge California Coastal Range 2000 (California) $23
This red offers a little bit of everything: Carignan, Zinfandel,
Sangiovese, Mourvedre, Petit Syrah, Barbera and Alicante Bouschet.
Wonderful flavors of ripe blackberries, cherries and plums. It’s
rich and round on the palate, yet not too bold to sip before, after,
or even with supper.
Montpellier Syrah Napa Valley 2000 (California) $11
What happens when the famous dark skinned grape from Southern France
spends a summer hanging out in Napa? Delicious dark fruit aroma with
flavors of prunes, plum jam and a spicy, dusty oak, vanilla finish.
Vine Street Chardonnay 2000 (California) $14
Creamy vanilla oak leads to ripe core of nectarine, citrus, Bosch
pears and golden apples that are complex in this young Chardonnay.
Great value for the price.
Groth Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2000 (California) $16
Floral with excellent balance to its lemon, citrus, nectarine,
vanilla and ripe figs notes. Excellent wine with any fish dishes.
Chatter Creek Lonesome Spring Vineyard Syrah Columbia Valley
2000 (Washington) $20
Powerful big, classic Syrah with jammy blackberries, plums and
cherries with a touch of bittersweet chocolate and a long oaky
finish with smooth tannins.
Gordon Brothers Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2000 (Washington)
$14
Lively aromas of vanillin oak, pink grapefruit and pear paired with
some tropical notes. Lush, creamy texture held in check by a healthy
shot of citrus and green apple acidity. Impeccably balanced from
start to finish.
Glen Fiona Syrah Bacchus Vineyard Walla Walla 2000
(Washington) $27
Hailing from the southeastern corner of Washington, the wines of
Glen Fiona (from the Gaelic “glean na fionan” or “valley of the
wine”) speak a language we all can understand. Crafted in the manner
of rich, rustic Rhone valley reds, this Syrah shows vibrant fruit
aromas of cherry, blackberry and raspberry with a touch of spice and
smoke.
Salmon Harbor Merlot 2000 (Washington) $10
This second label from Hogue Cellars is great wine for the value.
Dried herb aromas with sweet blackberry and plums flavors and smooth
finish with a touch of vanilla oak.
Willakenzie Pinot Gris Yamhill 2000 (Oregon) $18
A scent of exotic, super-ripe melons spiked with notes of jasmine
and ginger followed up by a crunchy core of red apple and yellow
pear flavors paired with lime and citrus.
King’s Ridge Pinot Noir 2000 (Oregon) $16
Burgundian style Pinot Noir from Rex Hill Vineyards with tar,
leather and earthy aromas followed by juicy, dark fruit flavors and
dark chocolate. Long, lingering flavors in the finish. |
