Oh it 's one of my favorite times of the year, bud break. The grape vines are beginning to sprout their little green leaves which means a new and exciting year for the grapes to grow into delicious wine!! Well. I'm leaving out a few important steps but you catch my drift. Speaking of new and exciting, today's ramblings will be about Michael-Bernard Winery, which opened their tasting room on Westside Road in Healdsburg in September of 2010. MBW is located about 3/4 mile southwest of Healdsburg Plaza (Near Madrona Manor). It has a beautiful, new tasting room with a large wrap around deck, tables for a pleasant picnic lunch overlooking the brand new vineyards. Christine and Allison do a wonderful job pouring and educating in the tasting room. MBW has a number of different labels being poured, and I will try to lay it out for you so as not to confuse.
Michael-Bernard is owned by 2 growers, Mike Kuimelis and Bernie Orsi and they custom crush their (1)Michael-Bernard label. (2) Orsi-Papale is Bernie Orsi's grapes and Lawrence Papale the winemaker. (3) Mantra and (4) Mobius are Mike Kuimelis' grapes with Mike Kuimelis Jr. the winemaker, Mobius is his 2nd label. (5) Orsianna is Bernie Orsi's grapes with the wine made by 2 of has friends. Got all that? I'm so confused I need a drink!! Speaking of drinking, here's the lowdown on some of their wines:
MBW 2008 Sparkling Wine $25/btl, 130 cases - Organic certified bio dynamically farmed Mendocino County grapes, this is an easy drinking smooth blend of Pinot & Chardonnay grapes.
MBW 2009 Sauvignon Blanc $18/btl, 290 cases - Russian River grapes, notes of grapefruit and citrus, light and refreshing.
Chardonnays
2009 Mobius $20/btl, 400 cases - Russian River grapes all stainless steel fermentation makes a very crisp drinkable Chard.
2009 Orsianna $15 btl, - Mendocino grapes, stainless steel fermentation, well balanced apples, pears with a clean finish
2009 MBW $25/btl, 385 cases - Russian River grapes, 50% French Oak. Nicely balanced apples, melons and light oak. A nice food Chard.
Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Orsianna $23/btl, 1500 cases - Mendocino grapes. Red fruit nose, bright strawberry on the palate with smooth finish. Good value and ready to drink now!
2008 Mobius $24/btl, 850 cases - 90% Cab with 5% each Merlot and Zin. Nice currant aroma with touch of white pepper. Nice and full in the mouth with medium finish. Aged in Hungarian Oak, this is an incredible value!
2006 Orsi-Papale $40/ btl, 100 cases - Shining example of a Dry Creek Valley Cab! One of my faves with generous fruit and a dry finish. Excellent structure, I am looking for to drinking this from now thru 2017
2006 Orsi-Papale La Mescalanza $45/btl, 50 cases - Cab/Merlot blend of Sonoma and Napa grapes. Soft yet full mouth feel, medium finish - a very nice wine!!
Michael Bernard offers more wines, but you will just have to discover them for yourself on your next trip to Healdsburg! Michael-Bernard Winery has become a staple on my SoCo tour because its a great place to visit with very good wines at reasonable prices. Enjoy!!!
Lou
