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Forge Cellars Les Alliés Finger Lakes Riesling 2014

Forge Cellars Les Alliés Finger Lakes Riesling 2014

Another taught and racy Riesling from Forge Cellars. This time, the grapes are sourced from Les Alliés vineyard, which lies on the east side of Lake Seneca. The vines are planted in shale and gravelly loam, as such, the profile is lean and citrusy, with hints of lemon zest and pear, layered under wet shell […]

Drouhin Roserock Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2014

Drouhin Roserock Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2014

Roserock should be an exciting wine for Domaine Drouhin fans. 2014 is the inaugural release of this single-vineyard beauty, aptly named after Roserock Vineyard, a cooler site in the Eola-Amity Hills that was established beginning in 2004. Just like the wines released under the Drouhin label, Roserock possesses a sort of timeless elegance. Silky yet […]

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

From the acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation, Mayacamas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 13 months on new French Oak and sees and additional 5 years aging in bottle prior to release. Complex, heady aromas of black currants and black cherries, roasted game, black olive tapenade, and a lovely wafting tertiary note of violets. High altitude and cooler […]

Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2012

Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2012

First impression of the 2012 Grgich Hills Chardonnay—it’s old-school and intense. Classic orchard fruit aromas are couched in flint and matchstick that hover like an electric storm over rather more tender notes of toasted walnut, brioche, and acacia honey. In the mouth, there’s not an ounce of fat, it’s lean with considerable energy and verve. […]

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

From the acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation, Mayacamas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 13 months on new French Oak and sees and additional 5 years aging in bottle prior to release. Complex, heady aromas of black currants and black cherries, roasted game, black olive tapenade, and a lovely wafting tertiary note of violets. High altitude and cooler […]

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Rosé 2015

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Rosé 2015

Stoller Family Estate’s Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Rosé is fresh and vibrant, and proved to be a fine match with yesterday’s fare of roasted chicken with Herbs de Provence and golden beet salad. Aromas of underripe strawberry, blood orange and, interestingly, a dusty top note. The palate echoes the nose, layer in pink grapefruit pith […]

Cornerstone Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2012

Cornerstone Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2012

The 2012 Conerstone Chardonnay exemplifies great varietal typicity—this is classic Willamette Valley Chard, and nicely done too. Fresh aromas of pears, yellow-skinned apples, lemon zest, and toasted hazelnuts are nicely woven into this well-balanced white. The oak is very integrated as well, it’s not at all over blown, and a lively burst of acidity, redolent […]

Gallo Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Signature Series 2013

Gallo Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Signature Series 2013

Yet another winner from Gallo’s Signature Series, the 2012 Dry Creek Zinfandel has a smokey countenance, followed by musky earth, steeped blackberries and Italian plums. Tons of intensity on the palate, a bit of char, and unbridled, racy acidity. This isn’t a sweet, heavy Zinfandel, rather it’s endowed with lots of power and punch. The […]

Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

A friendly and approachable Central Valley Pinot Noir, Edna Valley offers a dollop of pleasure for the budget conscious—finding decent Pinot Noir in the under $15.00 price category is a challenge. The 2014 edition emits strawberry and raspberry jam, with a whiff of crunchy, dry fall leaves. It’s fairly simple, but pleasant in the mouth, […]

Forge Cellars Sunrise Hill Vineyard Finger Lakes Riesling 2014

Forge Cellars Sunrise Hill Vineyard Finger Lakes Riesling 2014

As with the other Forge Rieslings I’ve tried, the 2014 Sunrise Hill Vineyard is lithe and electric. it possesses tactile, nervy tension. The nose is somewhat reserved, though swirling reveals white flowers, lime zest, mint and a pinch of granulated honey. It feels very pure—at the core, a bracing, linear expression is accented by lemon […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com