The Wine of Kings Has a New Successor
Why Dry Furmint will be the Next Big Thing This problem is one that the region’s vintners are acutely aware of, and, perhaps for the first time in decades, Tokaj is ready to reinvent itself. István Szepsy Sr., the region’s most acclaimed winemaker, has seen tremendous upheaval during his lifetime. His son, István Szepsy […]
Puffin Oregon Pinot Gris 2015
A wine from one of many stops while on an Oregon-Washington themed wine cruise. I was pleasantly surprised by the 2015 Puffin Oregon Pinot Gris made by Ray Walsh, former winemaker at King Estate. King Estate’s jewel is their Pinot Gris, and this unlikely label sold in an equally unlikely place—proprietor Steven Sinkler sells Puffin from his […]
Feudo Arancio Pinot Grigio Sicilia Stemmari 2014
Last week I had a lengthy and engaging interview with Stemmari winemaker, Lucio Matricardi. His wines, clean and fresh, nicely showcase Sicilian terroir. In the case of this Pinot Grigio, there is ample minerality on the back palate—a flourish of calcareous soils that meander towards a saline edge enlivened by zesty acidity. The fruit profile […]
Feudo Arancio Grillo Sicilia Stemmari 2015
Grillo is an amazing variety; it’s a white grape with a black dress. Why? It has this incredible ability to withstand the heat, it’s really yellow, almost amber-hued with lots of tannins,” says winemaker Lucio Matricardi. The grapes must be pressed very gently, and interestingly only the free run is used in crafting this demure […]
Feudo Arancio Nero d’Avola Sicilia Stemmari 2014
After being open for a couple of hours, the Feudo Arancio Nero D’Avola Sicilia Stemmari 2014 reveals soft, supple undercurrent of plums, prunes, cocoa powder, sweet tobacco and spearmint. The mint note is especially prominent. It’s easy going, round, with moderate acidity, I found myself reaching the bottom of my glass much faster than intended—for […]
Terra Blanca Red Mountain Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
So glad to have finally visited Terra Blanca, aside from visit-worthy grounds, the wines themselves live up to the praise they’ve garnered. The 2012 Red Mountain Cabernet explodes with black cherries, cassis, sandalwood, Chinese five spice, incense and lavender. A structural backbone encased in firm tannins is at the forefront of the attack, but after […]
Domaine J. Meuret Clos Pierre Chardonnay 2013
Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>Limpid sunlight in a glass, Domaine J. Meuret is from Washington’s highly regarded Maison Bleue, the Meuret label are single vineyard wines, meant to show off terroir. In this case this outstanding Chardonnay is from Clos Pierre vineyard in White Salmon, a […]
Domaine Serene Jerusalem Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
Jerusalem Hill Vineyard lies a protected, south-facing slope, and I’m told it’s one of the more moderate sites in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, lending more intense color and concentration—and that seems to be very accurate to the wine itself, which manages both poise and power. Sous bois, white pepper and dried sage along with fine, […]
Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>I was delighted to find Maison Bleue’s tasting room in downtown Walla Walla on my last visit, and even more surprised to taste the Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Pinot Noir 2013, the inaugural vintage of this label, all of which are […]
Domaine de la Gramière Côtes du Rhône 2011
The La Gramière 2011 is a cuvée of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, with vinification in concrete. A rustic, gamey nose of blackberry reduction sauce, beef jerky, freshly turned soil and violets. Aging in concrete has produced a wine that is both fresh with texturally fine tannins. There is high acidity here, too and with […]