Food & Beverage Intl. - Winery of the Week: Maple Creek

Wines of the Week:
Maple Creek - Mendocino County, Ca

Maple Creek Winey is located along the twists and turns of Highway 128 that cuts a path through the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County, California. There, winemaker Tom Rodrigues loves to paint, and he makes use of that artistic talent to create the images on his "Artevino" and estate wine labels. Of course, Tom also has a real artistic touch with his wines. Here's what our tasting panel had to say about some of his current offerings:

Click on labels to enlarge

Maple Creek 2014 "Reserve" Chardonnay
Winery: Maple Creek
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County, California
Year: 2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 35-40

Review:
Fragrances of pears, peaches, buttered popcorn, and vanilla rise up from a glass. The palate offers flavors of pear, peach, and golden apple that interweave with suggestions of buttery oak and vanilla on the palate. A rich, mouth-filling Chardonnay with a pleasant acidity, open a bottle with fresh crab legs. 400 cases were made.
Rating: 90

Maple Creek 2011 "Largo Ridge" Zinfandel
Winery: Maple Creek
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Mendocino County, California
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 35-40

Review:
Aromatics of blackberry preserves, plums, and strawberries mingle with floral and earthy traces on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of ripe plum, bramble fruit, and jammy strawberry that flow into undertones of earth and baking spice. Plush tannins and ample fruit endear this Zin to BBQ pulled pork. 240 cases produced.
Rating: 89

Maple Creek 2013 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Winery: Maple Creek
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Mendocino County, California
Year: 2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 35-40

Review:
Cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate aromas meld with hints of spice and floral earth on the nose. The palate showcases flavors of bright red berries, along with accents of cardamom, rose petal, and earth. A wine offering silky tannins and lively flavors, enjoy a glass with roast duck. 170 cases were made.
Rating: 89

Maple Creek 2012 Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir
Winery: Maple Creek
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Mendocino County, California
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price: 45-50

Review:
A bouquet of black cherries, strawberries, cola, and baking spice greets the senses. Flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and cherry coalesce with highlights of cola, earth, and spice on the palate. With a welcoming acidity and supple tannins, this Pinot calls for grilled salmon. 160 cases produced.
Rating: 90

By Jason Barlow