Bodegas Altos de Torona Albariño Rías Baixas Sobre Lías 2017
A more fruit-driven expression of Albariño, the Altos de Torona Sobre Lias 2017 is fairly bursting with aromas of yellow peach, banana chip, green apple, and citrus. Lovely freshness and roundness in the mouth, followed by saline-tinged smokiness—the wine’s granitic origins come through on the finish as well as a rather haunting, singular banana note. […]
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 […]
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 […]
M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc 2017
Once again, M. Chapoutier’s 2017 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc exceeds expectations for its modest price point. This approachable blend 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne, 20% Macabeo, and, yes, 10% Vermentino is crisp and bright with wafting aromas of d’Anjou pear, yellow apple, and lemon drop, followed by top notes of lemon […]
Tendril Wine Cellars Child’s Play Pinot – Chardonnay 2017
An offshoot label from Tony Rynder’s Tendril wines, Child’s Play 2017 Pinot Chardonnay is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. The nose grapey nose with intriguing layers of Fig Newton, sultana, white flowers, poached pear, and yellow plum. It’s medium-bodied on the palate with a zesty vein of acidity adding lift, cutting through perceptible […]
Kangarilla Road Chardonnay 2017
Lots of breadth and range in Kangarilla Road’s 2017 Chardonnay. Sourced from a single vineyard within the Adelaide Hills, 50% of this wine was fermented in new French oak Hogsheads, with daily lees stirring. White peach, underripe pineapple, orange pastille, blanched almond, dried mint, and toast leap from the glass—it’s lithe and citrus-driven on the […]
Château de Saint Cosme Little James’ Basket Press Blanc 2014
An inexpensive yet charming offering from Château de Saint Cosme, the 2014 is a blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 60% Viognier. Four years on, the Sauvignon blanc dominates with pronounced aromas of pineapple, muskmelon, white peach, lemon verbena, and dried grass clippings. In the mouth, it’s medium bodied—the acidity hits the sides of the […]
Wine By Joe Joe To Go Pinot Gris NV
From one of Oregon’s most forward-thinking winemakers, Joe Dobbs—the Joe to Go series of canned wines is meant to be convivial, light, refreshing, and portable. That being said, canned wines and the canned wine trend is here to stay, and there are some perfectly quaffable examples out there, this being one of them. Straw yellow […]
Emile Beyer Pinot Gris Tradition 2016
Pale straw in the glass, Emile Beyer’s Pinot Gris Tradition 2016 enchants with aromas of yellow peach, pear, lemon drop, stargazer lily, muskmelon, lemon thyme, and smoky minerality. It’s quite round in the mouth, while still maintaining balance as pitch-perfect acidity winds ’round a core that presents a textural landscape of pear skin, peach pit, […]
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 […]