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Fetzer Wines
Founded in 1968, Fetzer Vineyards is firmly committed to sustainable winemaking. The winery, located in Mendocino County, California, supports an array of organic and farming organizations, including the Organic Farming Research Foundation and the California Certified Organic Farmers. In 1992, Fetzer was sold to the Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies. Today, Fetzer uses multiple varieties to create its wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. For more information about Fetzer’s wines, be sure to check out our Fetzer wine ratings.
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Fetzer 2004 Coro Mendocino Red (Mendocino County)
- $35
The Mendocino winemaker, Dennis Patton, who’s a real veteran, made this extraordinary wine. A blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Syrah, it’s one of the best Rhône-style, field blend-type wines of the vintage, showing lush raspberry, cherry, cassis, gingerbread and herb flavors. A tannic taste of bitter almondskin rounds out the finish.
— S.H.
(12/31/2007)
Fetzer 1999 Barrel Select Syrah (Mendocino County)
- $20
Typically dark in color, and what an aroma! You could smell this all day and be happy. Freshly ground coffeebeans, dark unsweetened chocolate, blackberries, pepper, and a wheat-like, barley note: Does that entice you? The flavors are even better. This wine is lush, fruity, ripe, elegant, balanced, soft, rich and long in the finish and sheer pleasure to sip. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Fetzer 1999 Bien Nacido Reserve Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)
- $28
A strong South Coast Pinot filled with spicy flavors and mouth-tingling acids. Very ripe conditions push the tomato fruit toward black cherry, but it still has a bit of herbal, vegetable character. It's dry, and had smooth tannins that make it drinkable now.
— S.H.
(12/15/2001)
Fetzer 1998 Barrel Select Zinfandel (Mendocino County)
- Best Buy
- $12
If Springsteen sang about American Zinfandel, this is the wine he’d be drinking. Has those brawny, wild berry flavors, with their edge of pepper and herbs, that define the varietal. Acidity kicks, tannins are well-scrubbed and negotiable. This is rock and roll in the mouth, and downright fun. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Fetzer 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- $30
The full bouquet displays impressive depth to its blackberry, mint, tobacco and herb scents. The palate is dense, with cassis, chocolate and licorice flavors accented by plenty of spicy oak. Long and spicy, the finish is even, with dark berry and tobacco notes. Has appeal now, but will be better if cellared two to five years.
— W.E.
(5/1/2001)
Fetzer 2002 Coro Mendocino Red (Mendocino County)
- Cellar Selection
- $35
Winemaker Dennis Patton has crafted a dark, dry, solidly tannic wine that’s vaguely Zinny, but lusher and rounder, influenced by Grenache’s cherry notes. It’s a nice barbecue wine now, but will certainly hold and soften for 10 if not 20 years.
— S.H.
(2/1/2006)
Fetzer 2001 Coro Mendocino Red (Mendocino)
- $35
Smooth textured, with ripe tannins that give it good structure. The wine serves up a fairly dense blend of black cherry, raspberry, toast, herb and spice flavors that finish with moderate length at the end.
— J.M.
(9/1/2004)
Fetzer 2005 Coro Mendocino Red (Mendocino County)
- Online Exclusive
- $35
Very ripe and jammy, with rich flavors of mashed ripe wild blackberries, cherry pie filling, anise, black pepper and cedar. Almost sweet, but turns nicely dry and clean on the finish. Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah.
— S.H.
(9/1/2009)
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2009 Rodney Strong Reserve
A lovely restaurant-style Pinot Noir, showing lots of class and elegance…
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