Mystic
Winery
Mystic Wines was founded in Oregon by Rick
Mafit in 1992. Rick spent the 80’s making wine in California’s
Sonoma and Mendocino counties and moved north eager to find sites where “Big
Reds” -- most notably Merlot -- would thrive and where he could
make wines of distinction.
After scouring the state, he found The Dalles
region (Columbia Valley) in the Columbia Gorge, just this side of the
Washington Border. This area has a longer growing season and the heat
necessary to fully ripen Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah varieties.
Dillon Mafit (Rick’s son) designed the monochromatic
label printed on actual “cork” paper. The idea emulates Reserve
bottlings of many small wineries in Portugal. Each label varies with
the patterns created by the natural cork and the way it absorbs the sepia
ink creating a uniquely attractive package. This label recently won an
award for Best Use of Art in Label Design in the 2001 San Diego
National Wine Competition.
Mystic Wines has been producing small quantities
of Oregon Merlot since 1992. In the year 2002 they are also released limited
amounts of Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and their first ever RESERVE
Merlot.
The1999 Merlot was aged in French oak (about 45%
new) for 24 months and bottle aged before release in late 2002. Great structure
with loads of blackberry and cassis fruit, and intimations of chocolate
and coffee in the finish. The wine grants both the rich fruit one looks
for to enjoy now, and the guts to last well into one's future drinking
pleasure!

Rick Mafit
Mystic’s first Cabernet
(1997) was released in the year 2000. Similarly so with the 1998. The
newest, the 1999 Vintage
is another bold, dense, brooding wine that makes a great addition to a
classic table where its structure and mouthfilling, elegant fruit compliment
hearty fare.
Released in January 2001 was Mystic's 1999 Syrah
(the winery's first!), and like their 1997 Cabernet, sold out in just a
few months. The 2000 Syrah has been a classic since harvest exhibiting
jammy fruit and huge, beautiful black pepper aromas.
Rick Mafit's goal is to
stay small, handle the wines and winerywith is family, and produce outstanding
hand-crafted wines in
limited quantities. The wines are ready to drink upon release, yet will
also benefit from additional cellaring. SALUTÉ!
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