The late fall has potential to be a gap time for fruit growers in Southern California. At one point I was very interested in getting early citrus cultivars. I tried various things and I wanted to share that carte noir mandarin (clementine-type) ripens for me in early November, and actually even when still yellow, its low acidity makes it quite enjoyable. I started the harvest on Halloween this year. It was my earliest mandarin out of around 10, by several weeks and yet also the best.
Fruitmentor described it as the #2 for flavor in his 2014 citrus taste test. It has an aromatic complexity to the flavor. My colleagues at work know it by name. If you are considering early mandarins, get it from CCPP (citrus clonal protection program).
In my opinion, it is the best tasting mandarin in my yard. If I could only have one mandarin in my yard, Carte Noir would be it.
Problems: crumbly skin does not come off in one (but easy to peel off in pieces). Thin skin dries out in a few days and then is like tight parchment.