In effect, the fifth generation was buying grapes and wine from the fourth, and making a market nationwide. In recent years, Norbert's branch of the fifth generation sold out to Edmund's boys, the children of which make up the sixth generation and who are now being trained to take over the family business that started in San Jose more than 135 years ago. The winery remains in San Jose and is open to visitors, but most of the Santa Clara vineyards have been replanted to tract homes or high rise business buildings. The vast majority of vineyard holdings are now in Monterey County, where Mirassou also pioneered machine harvesting and field crushing. More richness and vanilla flavor than this usually lighter style ever shows.
Case purchases for everyday drinking highly recommended.
Lots of oak, flavors cross over into the tropical realm, and the aftertaste goes on forever. Apple fruit and a pleasant mineral quality aftertaste. This one comes in a pretty blue bottle that folks will pick up because it looks good even before they know how good it tastes. Once they try it, they'll buy it again. Spicy, appley fruit, with hints of peach and lichee.