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Todd Taylor Wines
Rating Details »
35265 Willow Ave
# 204
Clarksburg, CA 95612
(916) 744-1120
# 204
Clarksburg, CA 95612
(916) 744-1120
8 reviews for Todd Taylor Wines
The Old Sugar Mill is an attractively renovated, uh, sugar mill in the Delta. It houses several wineries producing juice from local and regional grapes, and offering generally free tastings to thirsty tourists. Regrettably, most of their offerings are missable, consisting largely of over-extracted, overcropped, varietal caricatures lacking in character or style.
Todd Taylor's eponymous winery is a notable exception. He adheres to a strict modus operandi: red wines, single vineyard, single variety. I admire and respect this singularity of purpose, especially as I have come to believe that it represents the best hope for producing notable wines of character (red and white) in most of California. The results were promising but mixed when I sampled them for the first time 2 years ago; now he seems firmly on track in his mission. Interestingly, most of his wines are sourced from the Delta or foothill regions, yet they avoid the preposterous levels of extraction and alcohol which usually send me fleeing from those AVAs. A Zinfandel from the Shenandoah Valley, for example, possesses structure, style, and a definite, though civilized, tannic framework which promise short-term aging potential. A syrah, also from Amador County, leaps from the glass with beguiling citrus notes alongside more typical varietal features. His primitivo, which contrary to my understanding is now regarded as a separate variety from zinfandel, is an ebullient boysenberry explosion, super lush and luxuriant without being blowsy or hot. In all cases, the all-too-familiar uber-pruny alcoholic sweetness is avoided.
If I have a quibble with Mr. Taylor, it is with his reliance on new American oak, which can seem a bit too prominent at times. This is admittedly a subjective, stylistic preference, and I do have some nostalgic attachment to this style of cooperage, as it reminds me of some of the classic Ridge bottlings I tried as a novice wine consumer. Overall, Todd Taylor is one to watch (and visit) for intriguing reds from little-known vineyards in northern California.
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Reds only - but great variety.
Todd and Gloria are amazing! Be sure and set up the private tasting section - they make a nice cheese plate! And Todd will explain EVERYTHING you have ever wanted to know!
I can't wait to go back next month for my Bday!
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This was our last stop at the Old Sugar Mill. It felt a little snobby, the hostess really didn't say much to us besides naming the wines, and Todd Taylor himself was there but didn't even say hi. The wines weren't to my taste (very powerful and strong) but my tasting partner thought they were excellent.
I don't think I'll return.
I first experienced TT wines about a month ago. When I drank it, I mistakenly thought it was an inexpensive bottle of zinfandel that I had picked up at Costco, so I was very impressed. Turns out that I bought it at my local wine bar/shop -- Uncorked, and it was reasonably priced, but not cheap.
Last weekend, to celebrate the youngest being all growed up and legal, the whole family headed to Sugar Mill to taste Todd Taylor's wines again. After sampling a few of the other wineries offerings, and being somewhat underwhelmed, I was ready to belly up to TT's tastings. I liked the zin, I liked the syrah, I liked the tempranillo, I like the cab, but I loved the primitivo. Todd himself was doling out some reserve from the barrel. I joined the wine club and bought four bottles on the spot. I'm like that.
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This was my first trip to the Old Sugar Mill, but it certainly won't be my last -- since I committed the unthinkable today: I became a member of a wine club after so many years of wine tasting. This means I'll be back for a few events and bottles of wine throughout the year.
Others have laundry lists of complaints; here's my list of accolades:
* The winemaker and his wife Gloria were in the tasting room.
* Todd is a purist; each wine corresponds to a separate vineyard.
* He previously crafted beer... and his experience includes packaging!!
* No port wines tempting me to buy more
* All reds. I LOVE big noses, fruity tastes and low tannins (no bitterness).
The sangiovese had me at first taste, then the primitivo seduced my palatte... only to have the 'Hearst' cab sauv simply SHOCK me. The last wine had a more earthy/less fruity flavor, uncharacteristic of cabs. At first, I doubted if this was a cab since the 'Lockwood' tastes more traditional. If you're a cab fan, these wines will force you to choose. Sure, you can like both -- but for very different reasons. Fact: the vineyards for each grew only 200 yds apart from one another.
BTW the other wineries really make TT shine brighter... if you catch my drift. Also, prepared to be patient w/ the crowds -- it's worth the wait.
Love, love, love it.
Todd's wines are clean, classy, bold and have great depth. Plus, they're priced very reasonably.
We first got introduced to Todd Taylor Wines when we visited the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg. Todd runs the tasting room with his wife and son. He produces a variety of delicious red wines, including sangiovese, syrah, zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon. All his wines come from a single vinyard designation.
We made another visit to TT this past weekend and was treated to barrel tastings of 2 wines to be released in November. Yum!
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I'm not normally a fan of smooth, drinkable wines (I like big, acidic, puckery stuff), but Todd's wines pack a lot of flavor into a very easy to drink glass of wine. He explained to us that this is because he travels around the state, finding grapes that will make wines ready to drink now.
It's nice to find wines that I can drink with my friends who aren't as into tannin and acid. These would make great picnic or backyard party sipping wines.
We left with a bottle of the Syrah, and intentions of coming back once the Primitivo we tasted in the barrel is ready.
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This was our second favorite winery in the Sugar Mill. Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, and 2 Cabernets were poured when we visited. Todd himself was available to answer questions about his wines. We didn't buy any wines that day but if we went back I would consider it.
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