Domaine Houchart Rosé Côtes De Provence 2015
The 2015 Domaine Houchart Rosé exhibits sweetness at the core verging on Watermelon Jolly Rancher, along with fresh, poppy notes of white peach and apricot. The wine label notes that the a blanket of CO<sub>2 </sub>is applied to the grapes during harvest in order to preserve freshness. I’d say they’ve achieved that goal<sub>, </sub>this is […]
Primož Štoka Kras Izbrani Teran 2013
Izbani Teran is a native grape of Slovenia’s Kraz region, a very small appellation bordering Northern Italy. The vines are grown in iron-rich terra rosa soils, and that iron note translates on the nose and palate. This is a wine that is an acquired taste, Izbani Teran has very high acidity and that translates too, […]
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg 1999
I’ve been holding off on posting notes for months, DRC is admittedly, an intimidating wine to write about. The 1999 Richebourg is a pinnacle wine, the sweetest nocturne, a walled-in garden of the soul. Heady, slowly unfurling layers of rose petals, dark loamy earth, mahogany wood, black cherry, crab apple, game, and forest floor. On […]
Domaine Sainte Lucie Côtes de Provence MiP Rosé 2015
According to the website, MiP Rosé is a blend of 60% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache. A bit of a mystery—my label is black vs. the winery website, which shows a white label—and the profile is nothing like the typical Provençal blend listed above. If anything, it screams Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of guava and […]
Domaine de l’Amaurigue Fleur de l’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014
My first Provençal rosé of the season, garnering 4 stars because of its excellent price point (under $10), the 2015 Fleur de L’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence is light and lively. Robed in a delicate salmon pink, perfumy aromas of cantaloupe, field strawberry, white flowers and a touch of wet stone greet the taster. It’s light […]
Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Vintage Brut 2006
As smoldering as one of Hitchcock’s blondes, off screen the 2006 Piper-Heidsieck offers up fabulous, smoky aromas of slightly charred baguette crust, toasted almonds, golden apple and a lingering, pleasant citrus top note. On the palate, power but elegance too, with surging acidity upfront that gradually subsides to a softer-than-expected landing. More secondary and tertiary […]
Kabaj Sivi Pinot 2012
For orange wine enthusiasts, the 2012 Kabaj Sivi Pinot, technically a Pinot Grigio, is this intriguing Slovenian example. Extended skin contact followed by full malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barrique have endowed this wine with it’s orange hue. The aromatics are subtle and layered—a fusion of cling peaches, decaying rose petals, and coriander. […]
Coronica ‘CO’ Dry Red Wine 2014
My first Croatian wine, ‘CO’ or Crno Vino, which simply means red wine, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Kraški Teran, a dark-skinned member of the Refosco family of grapes. I’m amazed at how gamey it is, with even a touch of rancio that translates as very-aged Iberico ham, along with dusty, clayey […]
Galil Mountain Winery Yiron Upper Galilee Viognier 2014
A lighter, leaner style of Viognier than I might have expected from Galil Mountain Winery. Truth, be told, this is my first Israeli Viognier, so I had no idea what to expect. Exceedingly pretty aromatics of pear skin, toasted almond, and a top note akin to my mother’s favorite perfume, something like honeysuckle. On the […]
Galil Mountain Winery Yiron Galilee Dry Red 2012
My first wine from the Galilee appellation in Israel. It’s a mountainous, stony terrain, but for all the stress I imagine vines go through in this formidable environment, Galil Mountain’s 2012 Bordeaux-style blend is stunningly pure, with almost pillowy-plush aromas of black currants, blackberries, violets, spice box and anise. Aged 16 months in French oak, […]