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#WBC15 and Alsatian Riesling’s Delicious Diversity

#WBC15

There is something about attending one’s first Wine Blogger’s Conference, aside from the instant camaraderie—that irreplaceable sense that you are in a room full of people who get what it is that you are doing, or attempting to do on a very deep level—in addition, there are a multitude of sessions for attendees to choose from. […]

Schoenheitz Vin D’ Alsace Herrenreben Riesling 2010

Schoenheitz Vin D' Alsace Herrenreben Riesling 2010

With lilting notes of lychee, wet stones, ginger and white flowers, the 2010 Schoenheitz Vin D’ Alsace Herrenreben Riesling offers excellent value for money. It’s medium-bodied and bright, expressive and markedly fresh, and the finish is mouthwatering and quite long, tinged with lemon zest and oyster shell. This graceful Riesling has a long life ahead […]

Zind-Humbrecht Vin D’Alsace Riesling 2013

Zind-Humbrecht Vin D'Alsace Riesling 2013

Zind-Humbrecht has been producing wine since the 15th century, no surprise, they’ve perfected the art of coaxing the best out of Alsatian Riesling. Pale straw and limpid, with delicate notes of pink grapefruit, white flowers and wet gravel and a faint, ascending note of kerosene. It’s medium-bodied and rounder than one might expect, nevertheless, the […]

Barmès Buecher Rosenberg Riesling 2012

Barmès Buecher Rosenberg Riesling 2012

Barmès Buecher practicies biodynamic farming, and this fine example, the 2012 Rosenberg Riesling was grown in deep clay-limestone soils. The result is a wine that is full and rich in its comportment, with expansive tropical notes: papaya, cling peaches, and spice. And as the nose suggests, it’s quite viscous and slightly oily in the mouth, […]

Alpha Estate Malagouzia 2014

Alpha Estate Malagouzia 2014

This Alpha Estate white is made from 100% Malagousia, a variety that was thought to be extinct until it was rescued in 1983. I’m glad it’s rebounding, for the variety possesses both merit and charm, with pretty aromas of flowers, white peaches, candied lemon peel and wet stone. Refreshing and lively. Alpha Estate 8.8 Points

Domaine Giraud Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011

Domaine Giraud Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011

Oh my. The nose on Domaine Giraud’s Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is unapologetically lush and even downright sensual with layers of blackberry reduction sauce, smoky plums, mesquite, Tahitian vanilla bean, and anise. It’s equally immersive and voluptuous on the palate, layers of black fruit are beautifully delineated against a structure that suggests good aging potential, balanced […]

Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca 2013

Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca 2013

The 2013 Pieropan La Rocca Soave sets the imagination adrift to high altitude vistas, with delicate, breezy aromas of wild mint, resinous mountain air, white flowers, and white peaches. Crafted from 100% Garganega, it’s golden-robed and silky on entry with bright, deliciously tart acidity delineating richer lemon curd and stone fruit notes. Pleasingly fleshy and […]

Saint-Damien Gigondas 2012

Saint-Damien Gigondas 2012

The 2012 Saint-Damien Gigondas is seduction in a glass. A walled-in garden of lilacs and lavender, huckleberries, dried mint and dusty earth that offers both concentration and finesse. There is ample structure here, amid velvet layers of ripe plum, subtle gaminess, iron and ox blood and a lovely black pepper note on the finish. Accessible […]

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 2010

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 2010

Always a great value, the Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre is a wine to buy for sheer drinking pleasure. In the glass, it’s inky and dioxazine purple-hued, due in part to a small fraction of grapes dried ripasso-style blended in post-fermentation—an addition that lends both satiny texture and richness. On the nose, black cherries, blackberry cobbler, […]

Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Ramnista 2009

Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Ramnista

The Kir-Yianni Ramnista 2009 is 100% Xinomavro, an indigenous variety that is lauded as the noblest red variety in Greece, the root “Xino” means sour and “mavro” translated, means black. Does it live up to its name? The nose is a gathering storm of black olive tapenade and black currant aromas, leather, violets, smoke and […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com