Szent Tamás Tokaji Nyulászó 2013
More Hungarian splendor—the 2013 Szent Tamás Nyulászó boasts a wonderful inner luminescence. Quietly elegant notes of bosc pear, almond, orange marmalade, and quince are the hallmark of this single vineyard designate. Nyulászó is one of Tokaj’s grand crus, and the vines are seated in brick-hued volcanic soils rich in zeolite, at the crest of the […]
Quinta Essentia Chenin Blanc 2015
A surprise wine, tasted while visiting Betz Family Winery—sold in 2011 to Steve and Bridgit Griessel, a South African couple. In light of the unique partnership between the two families, such a collaboration is possible. The Quinta Essentia Chenin Blanc quivers with decadent aromas of baked yellow apple, banana chips, dried pineapple, lemon curd, orange […]
Alamos Torrontés 2015
So lets just get this out of the way right now, Torrontés has to be one of my least favorite varieties. I can’t get past the star gazer lilly and chamomile aromas and flavors, reminding me why I’m not a fan of ultra-feminine, floral perfumes. Back to the Alamos 2015—it displays good varietal character, that […]
Szent Tamás Tokaji 86 470 Palack Furmint 2012
Tasted while visiting the producer, the Szent Tamás Tokaji 86 470 Palack Furmint 2012 is as with all wines from this region are mineral-driven and nuanced The ’86’ is a reference to the parcel the Furmint grapes were harvest from, 2286. Truly, the Crus of this region are as complex as one might find in […]
Aphros Super-Reserva Bruto Vinhão NV
A garnet-hued, frothy vixen of a wine, the Aphros Sparkling Vinhão Super-Reserva delights with ultra-earthy, pungent funk, and juicy black plum notes forming a concise bridge between nose and palate. Bright acidity cuts through layers of pruney deliciousness, the finish is brisk and short very much about black tea tannin and dried herbs. At 12.0% […]
Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay Arthur 2014
Beautifully delineated, Domaine Drouhin’s Arthur Chardonnay is pure and fresh, despite 2014 being a ripe year. Layers of crisp d’Anjou pear and apple, white flowers, white peach, granulated honey. It’s equally delicate and finely wrought on the palate, with French oak lending playing a supporting role to an ethereal vein of minerality shines through this […]
Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2014
Beautiful, as are all of Stoller’s wines, but young. I feel will benefit from just a little more time in bottle. I reviewed the 2013 Reserve Chardonnay and preferred it slightly over the 2014. Even so, 2014 offers layers of sensory charm and is laden with just-picked peaches and pear tartan, topped off with a […]
Hugel Riesling Alsace 2013
Hugel is always solid, and reasonably priced. It was my pleasure to taste this gem at a Wines of Alsace dinner in Portland. White flowers, white peaches and a quaint dab of kerosene, this is classic Alsatian Riesling. It boasts a “straight backbone”, as our dinner host Thierry Fritsch described it, inlaid with stone fruit, […]
Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Saering 2011
A delicious Grand Cru Alsatian Riesling from Schlumberger. The Saering 2011 is fine-tuned and surprisingly powerful. Grown in marl-limestone-sandstone soils, where vine roots burrow deep, the countenance of this wine one of white peaches and lemon curd, complicated by a pretty, herbaceous veneer. On the palate, it’s lush and creamy, with decadent layers of orchard […]
Domaine Ostertag Vin D’Alsace Fronholz Pinot Gris 2013
Wine of the night, tasted at a recent Wines of Alsace media dinner. If ever there was an example of a pitch-perfect Pinot Gris, surely it is this, the 2013 Ostertag Vin D’Alsace Fronholz, a lively dance of lanolin, honey, quince, dewy pear, fruit and stony minerality. In the mouth, it’s fresh with a kind […]