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Profile: In a valley 800 feet above sea level, you'll find Mike
Benziger's Sonoma Mountain Estate, an 85-acre ranch.
Thirty of these acres comprise gardens, woodlands, wetlands
and wildlife sanctuaries, including the all-important
insectuaries, which help control vine diseases without
the use of pesticides. Over forty acres are planted
with wine grapes. Some of the grapes are grown according
to Biodynamic practices, and the land is a Demeter Certified Biodynamic
Farm, taking into account ecological, spiritual and
energetic principles in order to create a self-sufficient
ecosystem that yields the highest possible quality of
naturally grown grapes. Mike Benziger's preoccupation
with the natural state of things extends beyond wine;
his ride of choice happens to be the ecologically-friendly
Toyota Prius — that is, when he's not riding his
bicycle.
For a true feel for the Benziger estate, several 45-minute
tours of the vineyards, gardens and wildlife sanctuaries,
as well as the underground estate caves and the Glen
Ellen tasting room, are offered daily. For tour information,
contact the winery at 888-490-2739. |
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Tribute
Varietal/Style: Red blend
Origin: Sonoma, CA
Vintage: 2002
Winemaker: Mike Benziger
Rating: 14/20
Retail Price: $75 |
Tasting
Notes:
Tribute is the second vintage,
and one of the winery's prized biodynamic wines, from earth-minded
Mike Benziger. A near-perfect summer and excellent harvesting
season allowed the 2002 harvest to flourish, making this latest
release an admirable sequel to the 2001 vintage, which was
one of the first Demeter-certified biodynamic wines in the
country. Benziger Winery, one of the few organic wineries
in California, created this Bordeaux blend from Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, which combine to
form a rich, velvety wine with dark flavors of blackberry,
cassis and coffee. High quality tannins and a firm structure
also give this wine a great potential for aging. Unfiltered
and unfined, the Tribute packs a heavy amount of alcohol (14.5
per cent), so pair it with game or a rich, marbled steak. (Date
tasted: 11/18/05)
Other Benziger wines we have tasted:
2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Pinot Noir
2005 Sauvignon Blanc
2006 North Coast Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Shone Farm Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Merlot
2008 Puma Springs Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay
2009 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel
2010 Carneros Chardonnay
2010 Pinot Noir
2011 Sauvignon Blanc
Address:
1883 London Ranch Rd.
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
888-490-2739
www.benziger.com
[email protected]
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