Troon Blue Label Longue Carabine 2014
A bit of a kitchen sink blend, reminiscent of some of the complex whites I’ve run across from South Africa—Troon’s Longue Carabine 2014 is composed of 43.81% Marsanne, 27.35% Viognier, 12.65% Vermentino, 8.79% Riesling, 5.0% Roussanne, and 2.4% Sauvignon Blanc, all from the Applegate Valley—offers cadence in its aromatic range. Bruised pear, yellow apple, star […]
Szent Tamás Dry by Tokaj White 2015
I had the pleasure of visiting the Szepsy family last fall—the time spent with them gave me insight into why the Tokaj region, famed for its sweet wines is now transitioning to more dry-style offerings. The Dry by Tokaj, an entry level in their portfolio is the color of straw, with vivid aromas of bosc […]
Matthiasson Napa Valley Ribolla Gialla 2013
I was fortunate to have spent time with Steve Matthaisson and his wife, Jill Klein last Wednesday. The 2013 Napa Valley Ribolla Gialla had only been bottled that morning, and needs to rest for three to six months before it will be released. I did taste through several of their wines on this visit, including […]
Layer Cake Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Daffodil yellow with notes of lemon budino pudding, yellow apple, and lime zest set against a backdrop of fresh tropical fruit. Layer Cake is lighter in body and lower in acidity than its New Zealand and Loire counterparts, even so, it displays satisfying acidic cut and enough grapefruit-pith tartness to make it a good food […]
Albert Mann Gewürztraminer 2015
The volume is turned way up on this 2015 Albert Mann Gewürztraminer, it explodes with pungent aromas of canned pear, lychee, musk melon, jasmine, and spice. Nervy acidity cleanly dissect a palate that is rich and viscous—there’s lots of energy and tension in this wine along with a finish strewn with white pepper, jasmine tea, […]
Columbia Winery Chardonnay 2014
Columbia Winery’s 2014 Chardonnay is actually a blend—91% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Gris, 2% Viognier, 2% “select white varieties”. Lemon-hued, the aromatic profile is predominantly orchard fruit—yellow apple and Bosc pear with a suggestion of tropical fruit and lemon budino pudding layered in. Medium-bodied and straightforward on the palate, this is a wine that few will […]
Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot Blanc Alsace 2014
Soaring aromas of yellow peaches, mango, dried mint, and wet limestone—this is classic Alsatian Pinot Blanc. The palate boasts moderate weight with a spritely arching spine of oyster shell, pleasantly bitter peach skin, and grapefruit pith pit co-mingling with flecks of sea salt. A wonderful ying yang between lushness and vivid acidic verve in this […]
Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2003
Yesterday I was treated to a wonderful vertical of older vintage Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Tablas Blanc, the 2003 was holding up admirably. Indeed, they all were. A blend of 68% Roussanne, 27% Grenache blanc, and 5% Viognier—aged to a deep yellow, the color of daffodils, and bursting with aromas of bruised pear, golden […]
Paul Blanck Pinot Blanc Alsace 2015
Easy like Sunday morning, Paul Blanck’s 2015 Pinot Blanc Alsace boasts aromatic charm. Laden in white peach and pine, stargazer lily, line-dried linen, and rosemary blossom. It’s got some weight to it, though nicely balanced by citrus soaked acidity and a pleasant herbal flourish at the close. 12.5% ABV | Sample Paul Blanck & Fils 8.9 […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay 2014
A pinnacle Oregon Chardonnay, the 2014 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum hails from a single block at the heart of the Seven Springs vineyard where the soil is thin and a stony basalt outcropping can be seen. The vines, all Dijon clones, were planted in 1984, and are naturally low yielding. Summum is stunningly […]