Troon Vineyard M*T Reserve 2014
Blueberries, blackberries and fragrant grape pie swirl beneath stratified layers of cigar box, warm spice, and dutch cocoa powder. In the mouth, a trail of sueded tannins plunges headlong into a deliciously concentrated core of dark fruit. It’s pure drinking pleasure at this stage in its development. 14.4% ABV | Sample Troon Vineyard 93 Points
Meyer-Fonné Altenbourg Pinot Noir 2015
The 2015 ’Altenbourg’ is Meyer-Fonné’s inaugural release, and the Pinot Noir used to craft it hails from winery’s Gallus vineyard, a small 0.7 ha parcel of marly limestone planted in 1996. Unfiltered and fermented with wild yeast, it’s a linear wine that delivers up a spicy mélange of brambly fruit, underbrush, dried raspberry leaf, and […]
Aberrant Cellars Sidecar Off the Wagon Claret 2016
A whorl of dark, concentrated aromas of cassis, blackberry, plums, dark chocolate, sandalwood and cedar, Sidecar’s Off the Wagon Claret is plush and deeply layered. A new label for Aberrant Cellars, the winery calls its Sidecar Wine Trials line an “exploratory search engine into the diverse varietal wonders outside Pinot Noir.” The 2016 Off the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Champ Divin Chardonnay Côtes du Jura 2013
Wild-yeast fermented and made from biodynamically grown fruit, the 2013 Champ Divin Chardonnay runs a pleasant gambit through aromas of Asian pear, yellow peach, banana cream pie, dried mint, and orange blossom. Slight oxidation on the palate, it’s medium-bodied but lithe at the same time with surging acidity that leads into an expressive, mineral-driven finish. […]
Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru 2008
The color of onion skin, the 2008 Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru is earthy, smoky, and sensuous with swirling chalkboard dust giving way to preserved lemon and dried orange peel, granulated honey, whipped butter, and fresh croissant. The mousse is especially fine, and accented by a driving finish that peels back layers […]
Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles de Colombo Rouge 2016
A juicy blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mouvèdre, Jean-Luc Colombo’s 2016 Rouge “Les Abeilles” is laden in red fruit—a bushel basket of black cherries, macerated strawberries, and rhubarb are followed by lighter notes of underbrush, vanilla, dusty earth, and anise. On the palate, nimble acidity lends brightness and freshness to this softly […]