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Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay 2018

Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay 2018

Abundantly fresh, Domaine Bousquet, an Argentine winery under French ownership, generally offers great value, particularly for those on the hunt for organic wines. This is not one of their more complex offerings, it shows classic orchard fruit on the nose with a hint of subtle spice. 70% of the Chardonnay is aged in stainless, while […]

Rain Dance Vineyards Grand Oak Vineyard Estate Riesling 2017

Grand Oak Vineyard Estate Riesling 2017

Crafted from Reisling sourced from Rain Dance’s estate vineyards—Grand Oak Vineyard lies within Willamette Valley’s Chehalem Mountains sub-appellation and the vines are seated in Jory and Laurelwood-type soils. Aromas of yellow apple, lemon drop, and ripe pear anoint the nose, on the palate, it’s softly-textured thanks to sur lie aging in French oak—perfectly dry and […]

Les Domaines Paul Mas Vin de Pays d’Oc Côté Mas Aurore Rosé 2017

Les Domaines Paul Mas Vin de Pays d'Oc Côté Mas Aurore Rosé 2017

Like a favorite pair of worn-in jeans, this is the rosé to turn to in a pinch and on a budget, and priced to please, the 2017 Côté Mas Aurore Rosé is pale salmon in the glass and hits all the right notes for a South of France pink. Summer berries, melon, white peach and […]

Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Franc 2013

Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Franc 2013

A rare treat tasted with Gramercy Cellars co-winemaker Brandon Moss—this was, we were told, the last remaining bottle of this limited club release—it’s a testament to the longevity of Walla Walla Valley fruit when vinified correctly, one feels that this bottle has another decade left in it. Brimming with aromas of mulberries, plums, crushed violets, […]

Va Piano Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard 2015

Va Piano Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard

A standout in the lineup from wines we tried from Va Piano on our recent visit to Walla Walla—Rosebud Vineyard, formerly Rosebud Ranches, as it was known when I sourced fruit from it—brought back fond memories for me as a vintner. Va Piano’s 2015 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon expresses sexy aromatics of red currant, red […]

Château de Berne Inspiration Rosé 2017

Château de Berne Inspiration Rosé

A Grenache-dominant blend, the Château de Berne Inspiration Rosé unfurls to reveal fragrant notes of white flowers, golden raspberries, peach, and crisp alpine air. The palate is awash in tart cherries and pomegranate. Light and vivid, with the delicacy of a ballerina, it pirouettes to a graceful, meandering finish. 12.5% ABV | Sample Château de […]

Abbazia di Novacella Stiftskellerei Neustift Pinot Grigio 2016

Abbazia di Novacella Stiftskellerei Neustift Pinot Grigio 2016

Fuller in body than is typical for an Alto-Adige Pinot Grigio, the 2016 Abbazia di Novacella Stiftskellerei Neustift is and endowed with aromas of peach kernel, peach pit, stone fruit, lemon drop, and white flowers, and maybe a daub of honeysuckle. It’s round in the mouth, but high lemon-pith charged acidity gives it lift, a […]

Brooks Amycas 2016

Brooks Amycas 2016

Straw yellow in the glass, Brooks’ 2016 Amycas is an aromatic white blend of 44% Riesling, 21% Muscat, 18% Pinot Blanc, 10% Gewurztraminer, and 7% Pinot Gris. At this stage in its evolution, that classic Muscat florality takes the center stage. White flowers and chamomile segue into delicate fruit aromas of Asian pear, lemon drop, […]

Cantina Tramin Pinot Bianco Moriz Alto Adige 2015

Cantina Tramin Pinot Bianco Alto Adige 2015

A steadily evolving kaleidoscope of white flowers, lemon curd, Asian pear, green apple, and mint. On the palate, the 2015 Tramin Pinot Bianco Moriz is light, bright, and fresh with a burst of pink pomelo, and perhaps most surprising—dried rose petal and wet shell that tumbles onto the scene like an unexpected last act. It […]

Barón Balché Sauvignon Blanc Spiral 10 2013

Barón Balché Sauvignon Blanc Spiral 10

My first Mexican wine, it’s clear that I’m long overdue—the 2013 Baron Balche Spiral Sauvignon Blanc displays modest tropical aromas of guava, gooseberry, pine, and dried mint. Lower acidity seems to be the tip-off to a warmer climate. There’s also quite a bit of mouthfeel which suggests some skin contact—it drops off at the finish, […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com