Francois Baur Schlittweg Pinot Noir 2015
Francois Bauer Pinot Noir. From biodynamically grown Pinot Noir located in the Brand Alsatian Grand Cru, the 2015 Francois Bauer Schlittweg Pinot Noir sports nimble layers of underbrush, briery berries and black cherry, spice, lavender, and rose petal. In the mouth, it’s round, with supple, ultra-fine tannins and an acid spine that wends its way […]
Cooper Mountain Life Pinot Noir 2017
Cooper Mountain Winery’s Life Pinot Noir is a brilliant quinacridone violet, with a watery rim. It’s fresh and primary, emitting a powerful elixir of wild forest berries, huckleberries, and plums. Dusty earth, mocha, and underbrush follow, with a top note of crushed lavender and violet pastille. Wonderful palate tension and energy on the palate, as […]
André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature Premier Cru NV
Carmine red in the glass, the André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature NV Premier Cru is comprised of estate-grown fruit from the Doyard family’s 60-acre farm maintained under France’s strict sustainable “culture raisonnee” guidelines. It’s a vivacious blend of 80% Pinot Noir from a small parcel located within the Vertus Premier Cru and […]
Domaine Drouhin Lauréne Pinot Noir 2012
Elegant, developed aromas of black raspberry and mulberry, fig leaf and dried mushroom, decaying leaves and a dusting of iron ore. In the mouth, silken, fully-integrated tannins lend structure to ethereal tones of black tea, violets, dried bark, and stratified minerality that surface momentarily, winking in and out—shimmering shards on a backdrop embroidered in dark […]
Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorëns Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2017
A blend of 60% White Grenache and 40% Clairette, think of the Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc 2017 as value in your glass—pale lemon yellow and bone dry, this classic Rhône blend offers up a convivial bouquet of bruised pear and yellow apple, lily of the valley, and a dusting of chalky minerality. In the […]
Domaine Ostertag Les Jardins Pinot Noir 2016
Perfect for the holiday season, this complex biodynamic Alsatian Pinot Noir from Domaine Ostertag, the 2016 ‘Les Jardins’ opens in a forest glen—decaying leaves crackling underfoot, damp moss, bark, and forest floor, perhaps even a touch of barnyard. This more pastoral aspect wafts off to reveal sour cherries, spiced apple rings, and an evolving florality […]
Pazo Pondal Rías Baixas Albariño 2016
Lovely mouthfeel in this biodynamically farmed, multi-dimensional Albariño from Pazo Pondal. Dewy pear, melon, lemongrass, a whiff of gunflint, and smoke round out the nose. Texturally it’s quite pretty, and round in the mouth, with a bit of skin-ferment bite. That wonderful texture persists through to a moderate finish tipped in lime zest and fleur […]
Château Lapinesse Sauternes 2016
Crafted from 100% organically-grown Semillon, the 2016 Château Lapinesse Sauternes is lightly botrytized, with more pure fruit character shining through. Aromas of white peach, apricot and orange zest are followed by more subtle notes of florality, almond, and spice. It’s round on entry and silky—the apricot flavors pick up at the back palate, becoming a […]
Santiago Ruiz Rías Baixas O Rosal 2016
A glinting pale yellow blend of 76% Albariño, 11% Loureiro, 5% Godello, 4% Treixadura, and 4% Caiño Blanco, the 2017 Santiago Ruiz Albariño opens with aromas of lemon drop, white peach, Opal apple, white flowers, lemon verbena, and a lilting touch of spice. Very fresh, with taut acidity, pear skin, mineral verve and plenty of […]
Troon Kubli Bench Blanc 2017
At Kubli Bench, rows of biodynamically-grown Marsanne and Viognier are planted next to each other and are co-fermented. It’s quite floral at the first whiff—white flowers and stargazer lily are met by nut skin, pear, heirloom yellow apple, and a smoky undertow. Texturally, one feels that there is some skin contact, but it’s quite nuanced, […]