Finger Lakes Riesling: A Portrait in Minerality
Mid-August marked my first trip to New York, I arrived a day ahead of the Wine Bloggers Conference, granting myself time to acclimate to balmy Upstate New York and perhaps more importantly, time to do a bit of exploring. My friend and fellow wine writer, Thomas Riley was in town ahead of schedule too, and the […]
Finger Lakes Riesling: A Portrait in Minerality
Mid-August marked my first trip to New York, I arrived a day ahead of the Wine Bloggers Conference, granting myself time to acclimate to balmy Upstate New York and perhaps more importantly, time to do a bit of exploring. My friend and fellow wine writer, Thomas Riley was in town ahead of schedule too, and the […]
Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Barrel Select 2013
Like fading autumn, where the sun hangs low against a clear November sky, the 2013 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Barrel Select offers integrated, finely wrought aromas of red cherries and dried mushrooms, decomposing leaves, woodsy trails and campfire smoke. And yet, it’s stunningly fresh on the palate, with vivid acidity lending tension to layers of […]
Raptor Ridge Rogue Valley Tempranillo 2013
Upon opening, the nose of this 2013 Rogue Valley Tempranillo from Raptor Ridge exhibited a strong savory green note, a cross between chervil and nettles that blew off to reveal a wine that quite primary in its expression. Mulberry and plum skirting earth and game and even a touch of wild lilac, these are notes […]
Schoenheitz Vin D’ Alsace Herrenreben Riesling 2010
With lilting notes of lychee, wet stones, ginger and white flowers, the 2010 Schoenheitz Vin D’ Alsace Herrenreben Riesling offers excellent value for money. It’s medium-bodied and bright, expressive and markedly fresh, and the finish is mouthwatering and quite long, tinged with lemon zest and oyster shell. This graceful Riesling has a long life ahead […]
Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2012
Ebullient and certainly not lacking in verve, the 2012 Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2012 is a testament to what cool climate viticulture in Carneros and the Sonoma and Marin coastal AVAs can achieve. As with the other Schramsberg sparkling wines I’ve sampled, this lovely rosé manages to be delicate and focused with pretty overtones of sweet […]
Sine Qua Non Viognier Mr. K The Noble Man 2000
Rich and amber-hued, this dessert wine offering from cult winery, Sine Qua Non is sourced from 100% botrytized Viognier. Harvested at 42° brix, it’s a remarkable elixir that offers up notes of ripe apricot, orange marmalade, mace and vanilla. Concentrated, waxy and viscous in the mouth, there is enough acidity to bolster hedonistic flavors of […]
Zind-Humbrecht Vin D’Alsace Riesling 2013
Zind-Humbrecht has been producing wine since the 15th century, no surprise, they’ve perfected the art of coaxing the best out of Alsatian Riesling. Pale straw and limpid, with delicate notes of pink grapefruit, white flowers and wet gravel and a faint, ascending note of kerosene. It’s medium-bodied and rounder than one might expect, nevertheless, the […]
Barmès Buecher Rosenberg Riesling 2012
Barmès Buecher practicies biodynamic farming, and this fine example, the 2012 Rosenberg Riesling was grown in deep clay-limestone soils. The result is a wine that is full and rich in its comportment, with expansive tropical notes: papaya, cling peaches, and spice. And as the nose suggests, it’s quite viscous and slightly oily in the mouth, […]
Knudsen Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2013
The Knudsen Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a new project, as the fruit grown by the Knudsen family has been sold almost exclusively to Argyle for years. Feminine and quite pretty in its expression, the nose imbued with freshly plucked rose petals, strawberry compote, incense and spice. On the palate, one can find darker […]