It’s doubtful you will happen upon Oppenlander Vineyard. It’s in, or part of, the census-designated place (step below town) of Comptche, 12 miles from the Pacific and 25 mile drive from the nearest town, Mendocino. Yes, it’s a cool vineyard, ideal for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that grows there, so brightness in wines from here is a given. Other factors make Oppenlander Pinots, the ones I’ve had anyway, denser and more earth-driven than most from cool coastal vineyards. The clay-loam soils and exceptional sun exposure has something to do with that. Sum-up: I dig Oppenlander Vineyard Pinot Noirs. Yet to have one I didn’t like. A lot.
Halcón just lets it happen. Native yeast ferment, part whole cluster, small % new French oak, unfined unfiltered. 5 barrels made. Tastes like plums, berries and cherries of course plus musk, cigar wrapper, cola and more. Plenty of acidity but not really tangy. Mouth-filling, fine tannins, great concentration (result of tiny 1 ton/acre yields in 2016). Halcon wines are notorious “bargains” in the California fine wine world. This is a bargain among bargains.
Halcón Pinot Noir Oppenlander 2015 is on my “Best of the Best” list of Awesome and Hall of Fame value wines.
