Vintage: 2000

Grape: 100% Pinot Gris

Tasting Notes: Mendelson Pinot Gris is Mendelson Wine’s new world version of the Russian Czar’s favorite wine. The Pinot Gris grapes are grown in the Napa Valley, both at Mendelson’s home vineyard in the Oak Knoll District and in the cool Carneros region. Fermented in small French oak barrels and fortified with alambic pot distilled brandy, this reserve wine is blended across vintages dating back to Mendelson Wine’s first Pinot Gris in 1994. Over time, the wine in barrels developed a tawny character, with a distinct caramel accent. The fresh stone fruit flavors (apricot and peach) are still prominent, but the wine is now accented by nutmeg spiciness. The wine is very creamy, rich and broad on the palate, with vibrant and fresh acidity. While the wine shows its sweetness mid-palate, the finish is long and dry, which makes the wine the perfect accompaniment for a wide variety of foods – fruit-based, nut-based, salty and spicy. This is the pinnacle of Mendelson Wine’s efforts to rival the finest Pinot Gris wines from the cellars of the Russian Czars at Massandra.