Château la Rame Sainte-Croix-du-Mont 2015
Crafted from 100% Sémillon grown in clay-limestone soil studded with fossilized oysters, the 2015 Château la Rame Sainte-Croix-du-Mont unfurls to reveal layered aromas of dried mango, pineapple, and acacia honey. It’s a luscious wine, with concentration and vibrant acidity that lends focus and lift to the palate, followed by a pleasant tide of pink grapefruit […]
Château Dauphiné Rondillon Loupiac 2011
From the Loupiacais countryside, this golden-glinting blend of 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc opens with subtle earthiness—blooming forest mushroom that blows off to reveal apricot, tangerine, nougatine, sultana, and warm spice. In the mouth glorious, glycerolly-unctuousness and shimmering depth on the palate, punctuated by bright acidity. Kumquat, almond paste, and baking spice emerge on the […]
Château Manos Cadillac 2016
A nice value in this little half bottle—the 2016 Château Manos is pale lemon yellow in the glass with blooming aromas of poached pear, apricot skin, orange blossom, and granulated honey. This Semillon-dominant blend is round and lush on the palate, and while not as botrytis-laden or rich as some—there is nice purity of fruit […]
Vietti Moscato d’Asti Cascinetta 2015
An affordable holiday bubbly—Vietti’s 2015 Moscato d’Asti Cascinetta has a classic profile for the varietal. Lovely notes of baked apple and poached pear lie well beneath granulated honey, star gazer lilly and chamomile. At 5% ABV, it’s quaffable and charming. — August 11, 2017 I have a weakness for Vietti’s Moscato d’Asti Cascinetta, the 2015 […]
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 […]
Fonseca Bin 27 Finest Reserve NV
The Fonseca Bin 27 Finest Reserve, was, admittedly a bit of a disappointment, owing to the fact that I cut my teeth on Fonseca’s outstanding 2011. Of course, 2011 Fonseca is now going for around $100 per bottle, a price that is increasing over time as the vintage sells out. Bin 27 is pleasant enough, […]
NxNW Riesling The Benches Vineyard 2012
89 Points for this half-bottle offering from NxNW because it’s a good value. Made in an ice wine style, this late harvest Riesling was sur lie aged in stainless steel for three months prior to bottling, and it’s a wine of pure varietal expression. Tons of dried apricot throughout, with a dollop of bananas foster […]
Brooks Eola-Amity Hills Sweet P Riesling 2014
Such a treat to attend Brooks Wines first University session led by Alder Yarrow and Brooks’ talented winemaker, Chris Williams. As Alder put it, the 2014 Sweet P Riesling is “fresh as a button.” Spot on, Mr. Yarrow, in addition, lilting notes of green apples, white peaches, spring flowers, mint and the merest hint of […]
Loosen Bros Dr. L Riesling 2013
Loosen Bros Dr. L Riesling is a unquestionably quaffable for a mere $11-$12. While not as intense or complex as more expensive offerings from the Mosel, what you can expect are lush aromas of apricot, clover honey, lemon drop and a classic though faint top note of kerosene. It’s off-dry with lots of mouth-coating viscosity […]
Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese Alte Reben 2012
Rich and unctuous, the Meulenhof Mosel Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese Alte Reben 2012 is ripe, juicy apricot, golden Opal apple and paraffin, a twinkling top note of kerosene. Soft and silky on entry, with a medium level of acidity that leans towards bright citrus fruit, candied lemon peel and dried pineapple. I found my self […]