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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 […]

Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva Tinto 2014

Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva Tinto 2014

Another excellent vintage from Esporão, the 2014 Reserva Tinto is a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira, and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French and American oak for 12 months. The nose is poetic: anise, violets, cigarette pack foil (a very specific aroma, my mother was a heavy smoker) black raspberry, and black cherry. And while […]

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 […]

Orange-Currant Scones

Orange Currant Scones

Delicious right from the oven—these flaky scones are flavored with orange zest and Zante currants, an ancient seedless grape cultivar known as “Black Corinth”. The humble Zante currant is, in fact, one of the oldest known raisins; its lineage the bearer of a somewhat romantic history. The first known written record was in 75 AD […]

Ledger David Rogue Valley Southern Oregon Tempranillo 2015

Ledger David Rouge Valley Southern Oregon Tempranillo 2015

Ledger David’s 2015 Red Valley Tempranillo displays some hard angles on opening, especially in terms of acid balance. It’s much better on the second day, yielding soft aromas of plums, bing cherries, cedar, and violets. Medium bodied, and tightly-wound, with powdery tannins and a spicy hit of black pepper that charges in the back palate […]

San Marzano Talò Malvasia Nera Salento IGT 2015

San Marzano Talò Malvasia Nera Salento IGT 2015

Another delightful find from San Marzano, this 100% Malvasia Nera is softly textured and juicy. As with all wines in the Talò line, it over delivers for its roughly $15.00 price point. Juicy Italian plums, blackberries and black cherries are rendered more complex by an earthy-savory edge of dried herbs, coffee, and underbrush. In the […]

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 […]

Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

One of Napa Valley’s best kept secrets, Louis M. Martini’s 2013 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is brimming with juicy blackberries, blackcurrants, and cassis. Leather, dried leaves, and trail dust along with an attractive top note of vanilla round out the nose. It’s sleek and softly textured on the palate with fine tannins and a medium+ finish. […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com