Campesino Wines

Last week while in Sonoma my friend Tom Futey and I met up with Macario Montoya to taste thru some of his wines. It was great to see Nick Wittman again as well and hear his interesting thoughts on the wines. The wines of Campesino are really special and I think Macario is one of the up and coming winemakers who should be on everyone's radar. While I preferred the Syrahs, that is generally true about me and wine. I suspect others will like the Pinots more. Either way, Macario is dedicated and passionate about what he does.

• 2008 Campesino Syrah Sangiacomo Old Lakeville Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  My second time trying this wine. It is indeed outstanding. Purple/ruby in color, the nose is very interesting. Black raspberries, some earthy smokiness, and some floral notes. Juicy texture. Lots of fruit and enough acidity to cut thru it. Lots of juicy black and red raspberries on the palate. long finish. This is a really delicious wine that shows excellent but not over done ripeness. Could even improve with cellaring for a few years. While certainly California in nature, it has a certain sensibility that makes gives it depth.

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• 2009 Campesino Syrah Sangiacomo Old Lakeville Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Macario opened this, but I think it won't be released for a couple of months. Perhaps not as good as the 2008, this is also no weak sister. The primary difference to me was the the fruit seemed less exuberant. Perhaps in the long term, that will make a more ageable wine, but that is splitting hairs. This also seems to have more red fruits although there are still some black raspberry notes on the nose. Plenty of violets as well make a pretty nose. This is a slicker texture. I think this will actually work better with food. Another delicious wine.

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• 2009 Campesino Pinot Noir Papi and Chula Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  I think a lot of people will like this more than I as it is well made but perhaps not a style of Pinot I prefer, Ruby/purple in the glass. The nose has candy apple and some cherry sweet tart. Soft texture. I found the palate more interesting as it has a light quality that I like in Pinots and just a hint of earthiness that will no doubt develop over time. It is obviously young, and I wouldn't be surprised to find I like it more in a couple of years. Like the 09 Syrah, this will work at the dinner table without being overpowering.

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• 2009 Campesino Chardonnay Chupi Late Harvest 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is a sweet dessert wine made in honor of Macario's daughter. It comes in a very cool bottle shape (375ml). The wine is light golden with a lovely aroma of orange blossoms and some grapefruits. It is viscous and while sweet, has a nice bit of acidity that keeps things from being too cloying. It is still refreshing. This is a fun wine, but will make for a nice finish to a meal for a while. I don't know whether this is going to be commercially available or not.

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