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Golan Heights Winery Mount Hermon White 2016

Golan Heights Winery Mount Hermon White 2016

Breezy notes of orange blossom, white peach, and Opal apples. It’s crisp and fresh on the palate, with a burst of lemon-tinged acidity that promises springtime as it gracefully unwinds to a leisurely finish. Lots of drinking pleasure in this modestly-priced white blend of Muscat Canelli, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier from Galilee. 13.5% ABV | […]

Tendril Wine Cellars White Label Chardonnay 2014

Tendril Wine Cellars White Label Chardonnay 2014

From winemaker Tony Rynders, his 2014 White Label Chardonnay shows his skill in crafting wines with stunning precision and grace. Classic aromas of d’Anjou pear and yellow apple are rendered more complex by layers of lemon curd, pastry cream, allspice, white flowers, and toast. Aged fifteen months in 30% new French Oak, Rynders shows us […]

Lubanzi Chenin Blanc 2016

Lubanzi Chenin Blanc 2016

Here’s a wine with a philanthropic twist. With the pledge to give back 50% of the profits to the hands that made it, Lubanzi is a relatively new brand—conceived of, and launched by two friends who met while studying abroad as exchange students at the University of Cape Town. Their first release, a 100% Chenin […]

Kősziklás Borászat Juhfark 2016

Kősziklás Borászat Juhfark 2016

Enjoyed at the recent #winelover hangout in Bucharest, the 2016 Kősziklás Juhfark sports a classic profile of walnut skins, almond and, perhaps a touch of lemon pith. Medium-bodied and angular, fruit is not the focus, nor is it the soul of this wine. The real joy lies in the unfolding of its arching, rocky spine, […]

Ledger David Rogue Valley Southern Oregon Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Ledger David Rouge Valley Southern Oregon Sauvignon Blanc 2016

This is my first experience tasting David Leger wines, and I am absolutely blown away by their 2016 Rogue Valley Sauvignon Blanc. It opens with eccentric rings of guava, kiwi fruit, juniper berry, and chervil. On the palate, it’s an acid metronome—an electric, energetic pulse that flows in and out of a tropical and orchard […]

Galil Mountain Winery Upper Galilee Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Galil Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Continuing my tour through Galil Mountain’s current releases, this lean and linear Sauvignon Blanc from Upper Galillee offers up a bouquet of lemon blossom, d’Anjou pear, and green apple. On the palate, an arching acid spine of pure white grapefruit, lemon pith, cress, and limestone. 13.5% ABV | Sample Galil Mountain Winery 8.9 Points

Weingut Witwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Müller-Burggraef Riesling 2016

Weingut Witwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Müller-Burggraef Riesling 2016

Lemon zest, apricot, pear, honeycomb and spice, the 2016 Weingut Witwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Müller-Burggraef Riesling is lush and languid on entry. It unfurls at a leisurely pace, pierced only by a singular, racy vein of acidity followed by a burst of saline and pink grapefruit tipped minerality. An excellent value. 10.0% ABV | […]

Biohof Pratsch Grüner Veltliner 2016

Biohof Pratsch Grüner Veltliner 2016

Biohof Pratsch is a solid producer, both in terms of the winery’s commitment to environmental stewardship and in price, it’s always an excellent value. The 2016 Grüner Veltliner is awash in billowy aromas of pear, lime blossom, and lemon thyme. In the mouth, the frame is wonderfully light and lean, minerality contributes as much to […]

Crama Aramic Piatra Soarelui Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Aramic Piatra Soarelui Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Tasted while visiting the producer in Transylvania’s fog-shrouded countryside. What I’m finding, generally is that Sauvignon Blanc really shines here—this producer is no exception. Lean and tensile, the 2016 Crama Aramic “Piatra Soarelui” or sunstone shows a classic profile of boxwood, gooseberries and lime zest and breezy alpine air. It’s fresh on the palate and […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com