Fess Parker 2005 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

Not my first Fess Parker Pinot Noir and certainly not the last. We got this bottle in our wine club shipment from Fess Parker a while back and tonight it was time to try it with a Chicken Pasta Primavera.

With a clear, deep, garnet color this wine shows black cherry, plum, raspberry, floral notes, and oak, on the nose. In the mouth flavors of black cherry, plum and a nice spiciness emerges. This is supported by good amount of acidity and silky tannins with a firm edge.

For the price range we are talking about, $20-25, this is a pretty decent pinot noir. I would not hesitate to get this bottle again and if you have a chance pick it up and give it a try as well.

I do not have my records left on this bottle but I believe we got charged $22 for it through the wine club. You can find it at WineZap.com from $21.99, and that is a pretty good deal for this quality level of wine.

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Fess Parker 2003 American Tradition Reserve Santa Barbara County Syrah

We had this wine last night when having a BBQ in the backyard. The dinner contained of a Spanish spice rubbed chicken with spicy parsley and mint sauce, grilled vegetables and a tomato/corn salad.
This syrah has a dark, dense, purple/red color in the glass. On the nose it shows black cherry, dark fruit and black currant. On the palate, intense dark, ripe, cherries again with black berries and some oak. This wine was very concentrated in the dark, ripe, fruit and berries but manages to balance that pretty well with decent acidity and round tannins. Over all not an amazing syrah but certainly good. Worked well with our meal, and it won't break your bank. Find it at Wine-Searcher.com from $26.45.

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Fess Parker 2005 American Tradition Reserve Santa Barbara County Chardonnay

This is another bottle we got in our latest shipment from Fess Parker wine club.
The 2005 American Tradition Reserve Santa Barbara County Chardonnay has a clean, medium dark, straw color in the glass. On the nose this wine shows citrus, apple, white floral, caramel and oak. The apple shows up on the palate again, this time more green and tart. Citrus and good acidity balances the round, creamy palate. Much to often chardonnays leave you with a too creamy, cloying finish but thanks to the really nice acidity, this one exits with a pleasant round, but fresh feeling.

This chardonnay is not yet available to the public. I payed $30 through the wine club and it will be around $35 as it reaches retail. A really nice Chardonnay but it seems to belong more in the $25 range... Give it a try. You be the judge...

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Fess Parker 2005 Melange Blanc Santa Barbara County

We got this wine in our latest wine shipment from the Fess Parker Wine Club.
It is a white Rhone blend, the primary grapes being Rousanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc. It has a clear, medium straw color in the glass. On the nose floral notes, ripe apple, peach and a touch of tropical fruit. On the palate this white offers sweet floral and fruit with some sweet vanilla. It is round and soft in the mouth with a creamy finish.

The floral and fruit is to sweet for my taste and it doesn't have enough acidity to give it the lightness and freshness it needs to balance those characters. This is not a bad wine, but neither is it one that I particularly enjoyed, so I can't recommend it.

This wine is not yet available on Fess Parker Winery and Vineyards' website, but will be. It was $18 in our shipment and should be around $21 for non club members. There are definitely better wines to be found at that price...

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Fess Parker Mackie's Blend Syrah 2002

The Central Coast Mackie's Blend Syrah is the least expensive Syrah that Fess Parker produce. The 2002 is less supple in fruit and more heavy on the tannins than the single vineyard Syrahs that Fess Parker makes. Raspberry and light, smokey tobacco and perhaps a hint of vanilla emerges on the nose. The raspberry follows you to the palate with tart cherry and red currant and tons of tannins that ends in a long finish. A not to shabby Syrah at $18, with nice varietal characteristics.

Fess Parker Chardonnay II

Included in our last shipment from Fess Parker Wineclub was the 2004 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay. I have earlier reviewed Ashley's Vineyard Chardonnay from Fess Parker of the same vintage. This wine is a blend of that vineyard, Rodney's vineyard, White Hills vineyard and other premium vineyards in Santa Barbara County. This is a wine of the same spirit as the 2004 Ashley's Vineyard but not quite as refined as a single vineyard wine.
On the nose you get pear and tropical fruit. The palate shows more tropical fruit with citrus and light oak that ends in a long silky finish with round creaminess and soft acidity. A great every day Chardonnay for $18, or join the wineclub and get it for $14.40, www.fessparker.com. Great on it's own or with a light salad or other lighter meal. Rated 87 by Robert Parker. This is a great crowd pleaser with quality!