Cave Dog Albariño 2016
Yet another unexpected find from acclaimed winemaker, Michael Havens. The 2016 Cave Dog Albariño, like his Godello is a complete surprise—pure sunlight streaming through a glazed window pane—the interplay of lightness and texture here is just beautiful. Equally nuanced on the palate with plenty of lemony acidic lift and mineral nuance. It’s not an overtly […]
Falesco Sagrantino di Montefalco Rc2 2012
I had the pleasure of tasting the 2012 RC2 while during a visit to Falesco earlier this month. An impressive, baritone inky wine composed of 100% Sagrantino. The nose: a kaleidoscope of black fruit jelly, blackberry reduction, anise, along with a touch of iron and brick dust, black olive and ochre … The palate is […]
Palazzina Le Macioche Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Le Macioche 2011
Virtually unknown in the US, Le Macioche is in the same neighborhood as Biondi Santi—their stylish 2011 Riserva is a study in lightness and complexity. Aromas of menthol, incense, pomegranate, leather, mushroom, and forest floor give way to an understory of well-integrated, ultra-fine tannins. The acid here is quite pretty, too—it crescendos mid-palate, and softly […]
Cave Dog Godello 2016
From acclaimed winemaker, Michael Havens—Cave Dog is his latest project and this micro-lot of Godello proved surprising for many reasons. The nose is nuanced, almost hard to pin down with notes of pear, lemon sorbet, buttercup, honeycomb, malt and a delicate savory edge. It’s equally nuanced in the mouth, with unbelievable, glorious texture offset by […]
DeLille Cellars D2 2014
In the high church of classic Washington State wine, DeLille’s 2014 D2 is an exceptional vintage, but one should to point out, it’s always a consistent performer thanks to the efforts of talented winemaker, Chris Upchurch. The nose is a pure array of red and black fruit—black cherries, crushed raspberries, plums, vanilla bean, and spice […]
Domaine Saint AIX Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé 2015
Consistently good, the Saint Aix AIX Rosé 2015 is pale peach in the glass. Aromatically expressive, it’s a kaleidoscope of white peach, melon, golden raspberries and line dried linen. In the mouth, it’s refreshing. It’s light, but layered too—here, minerality emerges and signs against a backdrop of ever-changing fruit. A great entertaining wine. 13.0% ABV […]
Walla Walla Vintners Vottavo 2012
Walla Walla Vintners shows of svelte new packaging with the release of this wine—the 2012 Vottavo is a blend of 47% Sangiovese, 32% Merlot, and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from Walla Walla’s Cut Bank Estate Vineyard. Intensely perfumed and infused with sandalwood, exotic spices, black cherries, and plums. The palate is plush, yet elegant, thanks […]
Château Marjosse Bordeaux Blanc 2014
Slightly smoky, flinty notes precede underripe pineapple, canned pear, gooseberry and grass. The 2014 Château Marjosse Bordeaux Blanc is inexpensive, moderate in weight, expressive in temperament—fleshy tropical and orchard fruit give way to leaner tones of white grapefruit. The oak component serves as more or less a backdrop, and the finish tapers off without fanfare. […]
Brooks Rastaban Pinot Noir 2014
Showing beautifully, Brooks’ 2014 Rastaban is named after one of the stars in the Draco constellation, derived from an Arabic phrase “Rās al-Thu`bān, or head of the serpent. 2014 is a riper, lusher vintage than the 2011, the last I sampled under this label—this striking estate-grown Pinot Noir presents a broad sensory arc of ripe […]
Dinastía Vivanco Rioja Blanco 2016
Soft in tone and texture, Vivanco’s 2016 Rioja Blanco is a non-traditional blend of 50% Viura, 35% Tempranillo Blanco, and 15% Maturana Blanca. It’s the color of sun-bleached straw, and with a swirl radiates underripe pineapple, yellow apple, pear, lemon blossom, and barley flour. Lees contact has graced this Rioja blend with deceptive softness on […]