Notable Oaked Chardonnay 2016
Relatively new to the market, Notable Chardonnay comes in two versions, one for the oaky-buttery crowd and the other a crisp stainless steel ferment. This being the oak-laden version, with palate drenching caramel, praline, bruised pear, and lemon drop. Silky on entry with orchard fruit at the core neatly folded into toast that is most […]
Szent Tamás Hárslevelű 2012
Mad is the second label of Szent Tamás Winery, and both are masterfully crafted by 18th generation winemaker István Szepsy Jr. Like Furmint, Hárslevelű is indigenous to Tokaj, it differs from Furmint in that it’s lush as opposed to linear, and generously fruited. As a blend, it forms the mid-palate. Here, it shows of oxidized […]
Emiliana Natura Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2016
Emiliana offers this surprisingly lean Chilean un-oaked Chardonnay. Perhaps a little more body than Chablis, but certainly less lush than most domestic versions of this versatile grape. Lime sorbet, yellow apple, underripe pineapple, and a pinch fresh green herbs. Silky on entry, it glides along, held aloft by bright grapefruit-pith tinged acidity. Lovely and fresh—a […]
Bluebird Hill Cellars Duology 2016
BlueBird Hill Cellars is a tiny winery located in Monroe, Oregon—one can find it navigating a series of winding, scenic backroads between Salem and Eugene, that wend their way to the foothills of the Coastal mountain range, their 2016 Duology is a blend of 55% Viognier and 45% Chardonnay that emits pear, white peach, white […]
Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2016
Tablas Creek has long been one of my favorite Paso Robles producers. From the care they put into their vineyards—biodynamic farming, noisy sheep, a rambunctious trio of winery dogs, and a resident shepherd—the good folks at Tablas turn out elegant wines that are nuanced, superbly balanced and long aging. For the price, they’re just that […]
Vina Robles WHITE 4 2016
A prosaic blend of Viognier 45%, Sauvignon Blanc 27%, Verdelho 17%, and Vermentino 11%, the 2016 Vina Robles WHITE4 opens with soft tones of lemon drop and candied orange peel. There is too a slinky herbal undercurrent—but it’s diffuse and hard to tease out from this wines mineral foundation. Medium bodied, with a burst of […]
Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett 2014
Perhaps the most thrilling aspect of the 2014 Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Kabinett Riesling is the mouth-tingling interplay of salinity and acid set against a backdrop of unctuous yellow peach and apricot. It delivers the palate tension that just goes on and on, with a mouthwatering burst of lime zest and green tea. An outstanding Mosel […]
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Dry Riesling 2015
Demure nose—a pretty bouquet of spring blossoms, lemon drop, and white peaches. What the 2015 Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Dry Riesling lacks in aromatic vim, it makes up for on the palate, which full and round on entry with a surprisingly punchy burst of white grapefruit and lemon pith that ricochets through the core. Finishes with a […]
Adelaida Cellars HMR Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
Eccentric rings of roasted apple, dried honey, lemon curd, orange blossom, and dried Medajool figs greet the taster. The 2016 Adelaida Cellars HMR Estate Vineyard Chardonnay is flatout sexy, silkily textured, with a center of gravity that’s nicely balanced against a backdrop of light toast. That classic Paso Robles calcareous vein emerges on the finish—one […]
Biohof Pratsch Rotenspüllen Grüner Veltliner 2015
I’ve long been a fan of Biohof Pratsch—aside from their commitment to organic farming, their wines are also an outstanding value. Softly textured on the nose and palate, with gently wafting aromas of white peach, honeysuckle, wet stones and lemon curd. Medium-bodied and round, one can expect balanced acidic lift followed by a streak of […]