Weingut Dr. Heyden Silvaner Qualitätswein Trocken Alte Reben 2015
Lemon yellow in the glass, Dr. Heyden’s 2015 Alte Reben Silvaner Trocken is indeed quite dry, as noted on the label. The nose is a heady mélange of pear, musk melon, lemongrass, and lily of the valley. In the mouth, these descriptors orbit around a sturdy acid spine—that citrusy acid note is present from start […]
Schäfer Riesling 2015
The Schäfer family have been organically farming their vineyard parcels in Mettenheim (Schlossberg) and Bechtheim since 1709, and really, when the wine is good, what more could the savvy wine consumer want for $13.00 per bottle? A kerosene top note leads into weighter expressions of white peach, poached pear, and lemon drop. It’s medium-bodied on […]
Mont Gravet Côtes de Gascogne Blanc 2016
Crisp and quaffable, the 2016 Mont Gravet Côtes de Gascogne Blanc is made from 100% Colombard—the offspring of Chenin blanc and Gouais blanc. It is classically found in the Gascony region and here it’s pale lemon yellow in the glass, with wholly amicable aromas of underripe pineapple, yellow apple and pear. In the mouth, linear […]
Josep Masachs Mas Fi Cava Brut NV
I’ll be featuring affordable bubblies and rosé wines in the runup to Valentines, so stay tuned. The Josep Masachs Mas Fi Brut opens with a vinous nose that is classic Cava: white flowers, lemon drop, pear, and apple. More defining features can be sussed out on entry, with crisp bubbles set against an understated, autolytic […]
Bluebird Hill Cellars Trilogy 2016
Densely packed aromas canned pear, honeydew melon, thai coconut custard are the welcome tones that lead into a palate that is surprisingly more taught than the nose belies. Bluebird Hill Cellars’ 2016 Trilogy is an undisclosed blend of three white varieties sourced from the Willamette Valley, displaying predominant orchard fruit flavors embroidered against a backdrop […]
Aubert Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2007
Now a decade on, the 2007 Aubert Sonoma Coast Chardonnay slowly unfurls to reveal lemon curd, poached pear, and baked apple notes, couched in mellow and toasty tones of salted butter, brioche, caramel, and vanilla. Nice delineation on the palate, where voluptuous spiced orchard fruit is neatly intersected by a firm acidic spine and beautifully […]
Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay 2015
Crafted with native yeast, 20% of which goes through malolactic fermentation, the 2015 Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay is uniform and varietally correct on the nose and palate with attractive aromas of bosc pear, yellow apple, and banana cream pudding. Crisp and bright on the palate, the acidity is slightly softened by six months of aging […]
Talbott Kali Hart Chardonnay 2015
A suffusion of smokey minerals, creme brûlée, toasted coconut flake, mandarin and grilled pineapple. Talbott’s 2015 Kali Hart Chardonnay is made from the winery’s Sleepy Hollow estate vineyard, a hillside parcel that is relatively close to the Pacific Ocean—where cool maritime breezes lend a moderating effect. The effect of this microclimate on the palate is […]
Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2016
A classic Chardonnay profile of orchard fruit, yellow apple, and bosc pear with gently warming tones of vanilla paste and baking spice. Bluebird Hill Cellars 2016 Willamette Valley Chardonnay shows a degree of freshness on the palate—50% of the fruit undergoes malolactic fermentation while the other half does not—and lees aging has added body and […]
Bluebird Hill Cellars Walnut Ridge Pinot Gris 2016
From 15 year-old grown in Bellpine soil, the 2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Walnut Ridge Pinot Gris is a pale sunbeam in the glass with soft aromas of apple yellow, cantaloupe, and dried mint. In the mouth, the perception of softness continues with generous layers of fruit that relaxes a pleasant burst of acidity tinged with […]