Tasting Santa Barbara County: Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards

Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards was one of the early entries in the Santa Barbara County wine country.  Founded in 1973, next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the first vintage.

This flight costs $10 in their tasting room, just inside from the oversized chess board on their lawn.

Estate Viognier 2010
Floral notes dominate the nose, while a nutty flavor edges the tropical fruit on the palate.  It's aged for three months in new French oak.  $16

Estate Chardonnay 2010
Fermented 60% in steels and 40% in oak, this wine spends ten months aging in barrels.  Pineapple, mango and vanilla spice are in abundance.  $16

Estate Roussanne 2009
Served unchilled, this glorious white shows tropical fruit and almonds with a near-perfect salinity carrying it along.  $25  (The '08 has a more floral aspect to it.)

Estate Z-Cuvée 2009
Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah blend for a nose full of cherry and blueberry with a little oak influence.  $20

Estate Z-Three 2008
Syrah takes the wheel in this blend, with Mourvèdre and Grenache supporting.  Dark berry flavors marry with fine tannins.  $42

Estate Syrah 2009
Cassis, chocolate and pepper - black and white - make a complex nose.  A very nice tannic structure carries the dark berries, smoked meat and spices.  $25

Mourvèdre 2010
100% Mourvèdre, the blackberry and raspberry flavors are light and bright.  It finishes tart.

Eight-Barrel Syrah 2010
The fruit is very bright here, too, with the added thrill of mocha and chocolate.


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