WTN: KennethVolk Negrette '12...(short/boring)

This was a mystery wine Tom&Maria brought to a tasting:
1. KennethVolkVnyds Negrette CalleriVnyd/SanBenitoCnty (13.4%; www.VolkWines.com) SantaMaria 2012: Med.dark color; some Am.oak bit herbal light peppery/Negrette slight chalky/mineral nose; lightly tart light Negrette/black pepper/slightly spicy bit earthy/chalky light toasty/Am.oak flavor w/ light gentle tannins; med.long light Negrette/black pepper slight chalky/earthy light Am.oak/vanilla finish w/ light tannins; somewhat interesting expression of Negrette but a bit on the mild side; much more polished/mild-mannered than the somewhat rustic versions from Frontannais. $30.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Negrette is a grape cultivated primarily in the Cotes Frontonnais near Tolouse in SW France. Small plantings of it exist in Calif. I like the grape because it has a distinct black pepper character. It is a direct descendant of the Mavro rootstock grape, presumably vinifera, from Cyprus. Used to be called Pinot St.George in Calif and Charles LeFranc Cllrs made some good ones way back when.
Tom

I'm amazed Négrette has found its way to California. AFAIK it is not planted anywhere else in France than Fronton. I'm quite fan of it in some of its 100% renditions for its vigorous fruit and spice, gentle rusticity and unusual bitter touch in the finish though I concede that not everyone likes that. I'm less keen on the smoother upmarket versions containing a lot of Syrah to make them more "acceptable". I doubt if I would like this wine, Tom, based on your description; too sophisticated and oaky for me.

I'm amazed Négrette has found its way to California. AFAIK it is not planted anywhere else in France than Fronton. I'm quite fan of it in some of its 100% renditions for its vigorous fruit and spice, gentle rusticity and unusual bitter touch in the finish though I concede that not everyone likes that. I'm less keen on the smoother upmarket versions containing a lot of Syrah to make them more "acceptable". I doubt if I would like this wine, Tom, based on your description; too sophisticated and oaky for me.

Yup....probably wouldn't much care for it, Tim. A bit too smmoth & polished & mild-mannered to my taste.
It spoke quietly of Negrette but I, like you, like that "gentle rusticity" (good term) of the French versions.
Tom