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M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Les Granits Blanc 2015

M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Les Granits Blanc 2015

M. Chapoutier’s Saint-Joseph Les Granits Blanc 2015 opens with a smoky undertow that burns off like morning fog to reveal denser aromas of mandarin orange, lemon curd, poached pear, and a base note of grilled pineapple. In the mouth, this 100% Marsanne is round, silky, and wonderfully expressive—orchard fruit and orange pastille are enlivened by […]

Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2016

Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2016

A household staple in the Pacific Northwest, Kung Fu Girl Riesling is crafted from sustainably farmed grapes grown in Washington State’s newest AVA, Ancient Lakes. On opening, vivid aromas of white peach, pear, lemongrass, and lemon drop lead into a wine with peppy acidity that adds lift to a white-fruited core. There’s nice length on […]

Galicia Mare Tămâioasă Românească 2016

Galicia Mare Tămâioasă Românească 2016

On the day we visited Galicia Mare, the winery still under construction, it was frigidly cold-wind whipped, we huddled around a table just inside the barrel aging room, the doors left open the afternoon sunlight to filter in. It was difficult to taste at these temperatures, this bottle-Tămâioasă Românească or Romanian Muscatel, glinted pale gold […]

Murrieta’s Well The Whip 2015

Murrieta's Well The Whip White Blend 2015

“Murietta’s Well is a partnership between Philip Wente and Sergio Traverso, the two revitalized the estate and gravity flow winery in 1990 and released The Spur and The Whip in 2010 to commemorate the winery’s 20th anniversary. A blend of 33% Sauvignon Blanc, 24% Semillon, 21% Chardonnay, and 12% Orange Muscat, the 2015 Whip is […]

Ferraton Pere & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc 2016

Ferraton Pere & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc 2016

A winsome blend of 60% White Grenache and 40% Clairette grown in clay lime soils, the 2016 Ferraton Pere & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc has a subtle nose of pear and dried yellow apple, followed by a lilting top note of jasmine. It’s soft on entry, with flavors that match the nose, save […]

Prophecy Pinot Grigio 2016

Prophecy Pinot Grigio 2016

The color of pale green straw, like fresh alfalfa, the sort I used to buy for my sheep (when I had sheep, but that was a lifetime ago) the 2016 Prophecy Pinot Grigio is deliciously, lightly herbaceous, with wafting aromas of green apple and pear, and a twist of lemon zest. It’s easy drinking, turning […]

Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Thoughts turn gently to spring. Prophecy’s 2016 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc hits all the right notes, with layered aromas of freshly cut grass, pine resin, white grapefruit pith, and lime zest. It’s quite fresh and refreshing on the palate with plenty of acidic lift. Minerality emerges at the tail end of the finish, adding depth to […]

Troon Whole Grape Ferment Riesling 2016

Troon Riesling Whole Grape Ferment 2016

Southern Oregon wines never fail to surprise me, such is the case with Troon’s 2016 Whole Grape Ferment Riesling from Applegate Valley. Burnished gold in the glass, with oxidized notes—baked apple, lemon oil, grilled pineapple, almond skin, and yellow flowers. On the palate, texturally speaking skin contact is quite evident, as is the case in […]

Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2014

Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2014

Apricot, peach pit, lemon drop, and tennis ball on the nose. Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler’s 2014 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese slightly oily on the palate—this is, in my view a positive descriptor, held in check by an swirling undercurrent acidity that keeps it in balance. That classic kerosene-tennis ball note remerges on this wine’s lengthy finish, along […]

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2015

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2015

Stoller’s 2015 Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay is awash in Asian pear, lemon curd, granulated honey, and white flowers. The palate is delicate, with French oak so well integrated, it almost feels like a stainless ferment. Almost. Extended lees contact has graced this sustainably-grown Chardonnay with a silky, seamless texture that is as complex as it […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com