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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Paul Mas Château Paul Mas Coteaux du Languedoc Clos des Mures 2016
From old vines grown in clay and limestone soils the 2016 Paul Mac Clos de Mûres is a substantive blend of 83% Syrah, 12% Grenache, and 5% Mourvedre. The rim is vibrant blue-violet, with fresh, penetrating aromas of boysenberry, wild blueberry, and plum followed by a top note of cocoa powder and black licorice. Chalky […]
Château de la Coste Margaux 2013
A poised and polished blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, Château de la Coste is the second wine of Château Paveil de Luze—here the Merlot shines through with abundant aromas of black cherries, plums, red currants, sweet tobacco, and dried herbs followed by classic Margaux florality—dried violets, a crowning top note. 2013 was a wet topsy-turvey vintage, […]