At daybreak of the fifteenth day of my search
When the amphitheater had cleared I crept stealthily to the top and as the great excavation lay far from the plaza.
Aberrant Cellars Gamay Noir LÜK Havlin Vineyard 2016
From the Van Duzer Corridor AVA, LÜK Gamay Noir is part of Aberrant Cellars collection of wines, this bottling crafted from 100% dry farmed Gamay propagated from cuttings from Oregon’s revered Seven Springs Vineyard. It exhibits classic Gamay earthiness twining bright black and red fruit notes of dusky plums, mulberries, and potting soil. In the […]
Troon Vineyard Estate Tannat 2013
At this stage in its development, it’s quite brawny, and by that, I’m referring to the sheer depth and concentration on the nose which is shows more earth than fruit—a stratified mix of freshly turned tilth, wet terra cotta, forest floor, and black truffle over an underlayment of plums. In the mouth, smoked meat and […]
Trimbach Réserve Riesling 2016
The color of winter sunlight, Trimbach’s 2016 Réverve Riesling is made from old vines planted on the winery’s estate parcels notably classed as Grand Cru—these vineyards lie within ancient calcareous limestone soils studded with fossilized seashells known as “Muschelkalk.” A kaleidoscope of white peach, yellow apple, lemongrass, lemon pith, wet stone, and kerosene. In the […]
Dobbes Family Estate “Elements” Rosé Oregon Bubbles Seabreeze Vineyard 2017
Glinting pale salmon, Dobbes Rosé 2017 Seabreeze Vineyards Oregon Bubbles is crisp and clean, offering up bright notes of pie cherries, wild strawberries, and red-skinned apples. A lively mousse and livelier acidity shows off this wine’s marine origins. Pink grapefruit notes dominate the close. 12.5% ABV | Sample It’s worth noting that Dobbes donates 10% […]
Alloro Vineyard Justina Pinot Noir 2016
Deftly balanced, the 2016 Alloro Justina Pinot Noir slowly unfurls to reveal refined, layered aromas of black cherry, ripe black raspberry, and a carpet of thyme flowers. An estate blend of 777, 667, 114, 115, Wadenswil, and Pommard—the tannins are fine and polished, bright acidity peaks and crescendoes, fanning out across the palate, leaving in […]
Le Cadeau Vineyard Diversité Pinot Noir 2016
Le Cadeau’s 2016 Diversité Pinot Noir is comprised of nine clones including Mariafeld—a thick-skinned Swiss clone that is open clustered and more resistant to Botrytis. As it opens, aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, and pie cherry are followed by a lilting top note of anise seed and crushed lavender. Round, elegant, and softly textured with well-integrated […]
The great excavation lay far from the plaza
Far from the plaza and in an untenanted portion of the great dead city I had little trouble in reaching the hills beyond.
Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir 2016
I was pleased to have toured Carmel Road’s stunning Panorama vineyard on the day they had a falconer out to deter starlings just ahead of harvest and equally pleased to meet their capable winemaker. The 2016 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir is loaded with briary fruit anchored by aromas of earthy substrata. Sous bois, dried […]
Prophecy Wines California Pinot Noir 2016
Aside from beautiful packaging, Prophecy features varieties from regions across the globe. I’ve much preferred their whites over the reds, especially their Italian Pinot Grigio. That said, the 2016 Prophecy California Pinot Noir is loaded with dusty cherries, plums, macerated strawberries, and vanilla. It’s plush in the mouth, and soft, as one might expect—it’s meant […]