2 sides of dry part 3
There's a broad spectrum to what is considered dry white wine, as we see in these two examples from California. Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is an exciting wine of floral and citrus notes, high acidity and...
Red style part 2
Here we take another look at variations on the taste and feel of dry red wine. ZD Carneros Pinot Noir 2006 Lots of sweet cherries and palpable acidity make this a refreshing Pinot. This wine originates with Pinot grown in certified organic...
2 sides of dry part 2
Another round of variations on the theme of dry white wine. Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Citrus and herbs in a high acid profile with citrus peel in the mouth. This Sauvignon is mostly done in stainless with a touch...
Red style
Like white wine, red wine comes in many shapes and sizes, from the silky, flowing ribbons to brawny, square-jawed brawlers. Here are 3 takes on red wine style. Lincourt Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004 Easy drinking cherries in a glass. This...
2 sides of dry
So many of us enjoy dry white wine. Yet what is dry is not one thing, as we see in the case of these two dry white wines. Benziger Sonoma Valley MacLeod Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006 This is crisp citrus in a bottle. The Benziger family is a...
Heron spotted
Heron Hill Finger Lakes Ingle Vineyard Riesling 2005 The smell is a combination of lime, flowers and that Riesling petrol quality. The mouth features the sweet tart character often associated with German Riesling. It is very concentrated with great...
Beyond the Pinot in the Russian River
Over the past few weekends I've had the opportunity to visit some of the wineries in Sonoma's famed Russian River Valley. This region is rightfully known for its Pinot Noir, a red wine of suppleness coupled the food-friendly charm of acidity. Yet...
Throwing strikes on the hill
Stryker Sonoma sits on a little hill with a broad view of the Alexander Valley. We recently visited with Jen Berman on the winemaking team and the Bordeaux varietals were top-notch. I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolaty Merlot and the supple and...
A look at Italian Primitivo
A Mano Puglia Primitivo IGT 2005 Fine for the price – it shows some Zin-like jammy fruit and complexity probably from a bit of brett. The latest bottle sample in April '08 was especially supple and Zin-like. Bot for Amano in Castellaneta, just...
Summer dessert with a sparkle
Michele Chiarlo Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2007 Perfect White Muscat smells of orange blossoms and a multitude of other flowers. In the mouth one feels like you've just popped a handful of flowers passed your lips, with sweetness and delicacy. P&B in...