A new round of wine from Ojai has arrived, which is always an exciting time for us around the store, as these have always been one of our favourite wineries here.
A bit about the winery:
Adam Tolmach founded his own label, Ojai Vineyard in 1983, along with his wife Helen. Tolmach's initial vintage consisted of a small amount of Syrah produced at the Au Bon Climat winery. The next year he built a winery in Oak View, near the town of Ojai in Ventura County on land that was left to him by his grandfather. All production has originated here since 1984. Pinot Noir was added to the lineup in the early 1990s, initially sourced from Bien Nacido Vineyard. Through the years, Ojai Vineyard acquired a cult winery status do to its small production and exclusivity. Most of the Ojai Vineyard wines are vineyard-designated originating from Tolmach's long term relationships in which fruit is bought by the acre. Ojai Vineyard wines have been known for their bold and ripe flavors. In an article in the Los Angeles Times (January 9, 2008, written by Corie Brown), Tolmach said that he has shifted course and now espouses earlier harvesting of his grapes, lower alcohols and more finesse. He said, "We got the scores we wanted, but we went away from what I personally like. We lost our rudder when we went for bolder, riper flavors." He admitted that he had stopped drinking his own wines and had decided to ignore the future opinions of wine critics. He stated, "My goal is to produce 14% alcohol wines with nuance." He now is committed to picking earlier than many winemakers. In short, quality is up, and prices are down. And he's making a Riesling now too.
As a special incentive for those interested in Ojai Wines, lf you purchase online you will be eligible to receive 10% off all sales of Ojai wines. Click here to buy online
(enter coupon code 'ojai' when checking out to receive your discount)
And now the wines...
2008 Ojai 'Kick on Ranch' Riesling - $34.90
"Greenish straw color. Spicy citrus and floral aromas are complemented by notes of honeysuckle and jasmine. Racy and precise but concentrated, with nervy lime and orange flavors and good mineral snap. Finishes gently spicy, with very good clarity. 90 points"
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 09
2008 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay - $33.90
"Pale gold. Expressive aromas of poached pear, peach and honeydew. Spicy and sweet, offering nervy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a good lashing of smoky minerals. The brisk finish shows good citric bite and focus. 90 points"
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 09
2008 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay - $35.90
"Some people get the wrong idea when I talk about making wines with better balance. It doesn't mean the wines are going to be thin and insipid, and this chardonnay illustrates how pleasurable wines of balance can be. Our 2008 Bien Nacido is wildly aromatic, with pear and coconut notes, and despite having seriously high acidity, it comes across on the palate as rich and generous, a character I attribute to the vineyard's age, a mature 37 years. Older vineyards are thought to give wines more length and intensity, and this is clearly the case here. We often have felt that this chardonnay can be a bit too much and have worked over the years to tip the balance away from excess and to avoid having the flavors too cloying. Since 2000, we have fermented and aged the wine in exclusively older French oak barrels to avoid the distraction and heaviness of new wood flavors, and we pick the grapes at reasonable sugars to keep the wine crisp and the alcohol in check. I think this one really works!" - Adam Tolmach, Winemaker
2006 Clos Pepe Vineyard Chadonnay - $44.90
"Light, bright gold. Spicy, mineral-driven pear and candied citrus zest on the nose, with a wild note of botanical herbs adding complexity. Delivers serious flavor impact without excess weight, showing deep pear, white peach and tangerine qualities and a late note of anise. Finishes broad and precise, leaving sexy spice notes behind. Tolmach told me that 2006 was a vintage marked by 'high acidity and low yields, which is very promising, especially since I never, ever add acid.'
92 points"
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 08
2008 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir - $37.90
"This wine is the product of our quest to make exuberant California pinot that has a more European sensibility, and we are particularly delighted with the results. By picking grapes that are not over-ripe, we have achieved a wine that has better acidity, more aromatic thrust, and a deliciously fresh, fine-grained finish. Sourced from some of the best vineyards in Santa Barbara County, the blend is 52% Solomon Hills, 32% Bien Nacido and 16% Presidio." - Adam Tolmach, Winemaker
2007 Thompson Vineyard Grenache - $39.90
"Grenache always has more tannin than pinot noir, but this is one of our most supple efforts since our first in 1998. Two clones of grenache were used here, with a large dollop of mourvedre and syrah added for good measure-all from David Thompson's fabulous vineyard just outside Los Alamos. If you enjoy the critically acclaimed California and Australian efforts that are syrupy sweet and 16% alcohol, I guarantee that you will not even vaguely understand this grenache. However, those seeking a flavorful, aromatic, fascinating, food friendly wine will be amply rewarded. A personal favorite." - Adam Tolmach, Winemaker
2007 Ojai Santa Barbara Syrah - $35.90
"I've always thought of the Ojai Santa Barbara Syrah as probably the best deal on a Syrah we get every years. 2007 was a perfect vintage along the Central Coast, and this Syrah show's off the opulence and complexity of the vintage. A vibrant and beautiful dark purple in colour, and giving off massive aromatics of spice box, mocha and blackberry lead into a supple-textured Syrah. This is providing great drinking now, as it seems to just coming out of its primary phase and developing some real complexity. Very impressive for the price."
- Tasted by Jon Ellison, Marquis Wine Cellars
2005 Bien Nacido Syrah - $44.90
"Inky purple. Highly expressive nose displays pungent cherry and cassis, raw steak, violet and graphite. Deeply flavored and fresh, with bright dark berry notes, vibrant minerality and silky tannins. Spicy and brisk on the finish, leaving a suave trail of dark berries, aged beef and candied flowers. Impressively complex and persistent syrah with striking purity and depth. 93 points"
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07
2005 Melville Vineyard Syrah - $49.90
"Ruby-red. Wildly aromatic nose offers a gaudy array of red and dark berry fruit, smoked meat, dried and fresh flowers and peppery spices. Impressively precise raspberry and blueberry flavors are deep and sweet but lively too, with firm but harmonious tannins adding grip. Finishes sweet and impressively long, leaving an exotic floral pastille quality behind. 93 points"
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07
2006 Roll Ranch Vineyard Syrah - $49.90
"Vivid ruby. Energetic red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of black pepper and violet. A fresh, focused rendition of syrah that provides good palate coverage without excess weight or tannins. Finishes with very good sappy persistence and an echo of peppery spice. 90 points"
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 09
"Rich, intense and concentrated, with grapey currant, wild berry and blackberry fruit that's focused, pure and shaded by mineral and spice. Ends with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2016. 500 cases made. 93 points"
-JL, Wine Spectator Aug 31, 2009
2005 Presidio Vineyard Syrah - $54.90
"Opaque ruby. Exotically perfumed nose displays cherry preserves, blueberry, incense and a strong floral character. Lively red and dark berry flavors stain the palate and are complicated by floral pastille and cracked pepper qualities. Becomes sweeter on the finish, with the dark berry and floral notes echoing. 92 points"
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 08
View all the Ojai Wines here:
http://www.marquis-wines.com/search.asp?keyword=ojai
*Prices and availability subject to change without notice.