MÁD Tokaj Kesoi Late Harvest 2013
I had the good fortune to have spent time with István Szepsy Jr. while in Tokaji’s Mád village, from which this wine takes its name. This is a late harvest Furmint-Hárslevelű endowed with pungent botrytisized aromas of dried mango, yellow peach, apricot, orange blossom and nougatine, it’s profile on the nose mirrors that of that […]
Aphros Super-Reserva Bruto Vinhão NV
A garnet-hued, frothy vixen of a wine, the Aphros Sparkling Vinhão Super-Reserva delights with ultra-earthy, pungent funk, and juicy black plum notes forming a concise bridge between nose and palate. Bright acidity cuts through layers of pruney deliciousness, the finish is brisk and short very much about black tea tannin and dried herbs. At 12.0% […]
Hugel Riesling Alsace 2013
Hugel is always solid, and reasonably priced. It was my pleasure to taste this gem at a Wines of Alsace dinner in Portland. White flowers, white peaches and a quaint dab of kerosene, this is classic Alsatian Riesling. It boasts a “straight backbone”, as our dinner host Thierry Fritsch described it, inlaid with stone fruit, […]
Sokol Blosser Evolution Sparkling Brut NV
Convivial and crisp, Sokol Blosser’s Evolution Sparkling Brut is one of the better priced sparkling wines from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It offers up a nose of green apple, pear and white flowers. On the palate, it’s lively and crisp. It’s not a complex bubbly, but it is pleasantly carefree on a Sunday afternoon. 11.5% ABV | […]
Falesco Vitiano Rosato 2015
Falesco’s Vitiano Rosato 2015 is a fruit-forward, cherry-colored Umbrian blend of 30% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Aleatico. The nose bursts with concurrent aromas of ripe watermelon, yellow-fleshed peaches, and bright pie cherries. Bright and fresh acidity on the palate that pops against fruity sweetness on the back palate fades to a […]
Frei Brothers Dry Creek Zinfandel 2014
Blackberries, black cherries, plums, smoke and spice grace the nose of this Dry Creek Zinfandel from Frei Brothers. It’s an easy-going Zin, with velvety tannins and a moderate level of acidity. Certainly, this is a food friendly wine, but it’s also one that can be enjoyed on its own. As is typical with Dry Creek […]
Barton & Guestier Côtes De Provence Passeport Rosé 2015
Guestier’s Côtes De Provence Passeport Rosé 2015 is pretty and very drinkable considering its modest price. The nose is aloft with red berries, blood oranges, wafting sea air. It’s a delicious compromise between minerally limestone tension and fruit, which translates as cantaloupe flesh and crushed raspberries followed by a mouthwatering and lengthy finish. It’s fresh, […]
Hecht & Bannier Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015
The second 2015 rosé I’ve sampled from Hecht & Bannier, aside from admittedly loving their modern packaging, I have been impressed with both the Bandol and this Côtes de Provence in terms of quality and price. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Rolle, it’s an expressive pink. The vines flourish under the warm maritime […]
Bodega Septima Malbec 2014
Better on the second day, as the Septima 2014 Malbec felt tight on opening. Today, more generous notes of warm blackberries at peak ripeness, plums, boysenberries, dried violets and black licorice. The attack shows tart, high acidity, this wine begs to be paired with a grilled, well-marbled steak. The tannins linger under the acidity, a […]
William Hill Central Coast Pinot Noir 2014
I have liked ‘s Chardonnay more than their Pinot Noir, the 2014 Sonoma Coast evokes plums, grape jelly, brown sugar. This is an easy-drinking, uncomplicated, and slightly sweet California Pinot that leans toward jammy black fruit—it’s all black cherry at the core, with a touch of cola, and low levels of tannin. 14.5% ABV | […]