Our 3rd wine tasting in Temecula Valley was at Doffo Winery. Doffo is a very well known and prestigious winery focusing mainly on reds and red blends. Several of the labels and wine names were very cool and modern. For the tasting we stood side by side with other tasters at a tasting counter.
We started with a 2020 Mistura, a 60/40 Cab/Syrah blend. I rated this wine a 3.9. It was easy drinking with a smooth and rich combination of red and black fruit and a oaky, vanilla finish.
The next wine was also a blend however I rated it a 4.0. It was a 60/40 blend of Petite Syrah and Malbec. It was luscious and dry and slightly sweet yet balanced. It led with a sweet, vanilla, chocolate, spice on the nose as well as on the palate with a hint of pepper and smoke and a dark berry, plum finish.
Next was a lovely dark ruby red 2020 Syrah. I rated this beauty a 4.0. This wine was red fruit forward with notes of cherry, tobacco, oak and vanilla.
Next was a 2017 Syrah Reserve. I rated this wine a 3.9 for its heavy, filling feel. The flavor profile was similar to the 2020 Syrah with black current, black cherry, oak, vanilla and chocolate however, had some peppery notes and was quite bold and tannic.
Up next was a delicious 2021 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It was full bodied with layers of smoke, cherry, vanilla, oak, black licorice and strawberry. This smooth wine was a 4.1.
The flavor profile of the next wine, a 2016 Concreto Cabernet, was unique as it had earthy notes of leather and minerals, spice, oak and vanilla, dark cherry and black fruit. I rated this smooth yet complex wine a 4.1.
A 2020 Zinfandel aged 22 months in oak was up next. This was one of my favorites. I usually prefer a bold Cab but this Zin could compete with a Cab any day which is why I rated it a 4.2. It had a hint of sweetness and was smooth and balanced. With notes of plum, fig, blackberry, dark cherry rounded out with vanilla, cinnamon and a peppery finish.
We tasted a 2017 Reserve Zinfandel to compare to the 2020 Zin. The Reserve was aged 4 years in oak which gave it a port-like, sweet, dessert wine taste which I didn’t love as I prefer drier characteristics but it was still smooth, bold and luscious. I rated this one a 4.0.
The best wine of the tasting was the 2021 Zinfandel. I rated this a 4.3. It was deliciously smooth, perfectly balanced, fruit forward with a lovely oak, chocolate, vanilla finish.
Last was a tour of Malbecs. The side by side tasting of different vintages really helped me identify my preferences. The 2020, was light and bright, luscious notes of blackberry, dark cherry, cinnamon and vanilla. My rating was a 4.0. Next was the 2021, there must have been something special that year because I rated this malbec a 4.2. It was beautifully balanced with a bouquet of fruit and spice on the nose and palate.
The 2017 Malbec Private Reserve was my least favorite as it was just a bit too heavy and syrupy so I rated it a 3.9. I tasted floral notes and Boysenberry, cherries, vanilla, oak and chocolate.
If you’re in Temecula, stop by and sample the tastes of Doffo Winery!!
