Tag Archives: white wine

Wine of the Day: Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 5-4-16

Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($26.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

“The 2014 offering from Crowley shows their classic notes of dried ginger and golden apples with a brisk acidity. The wine was raised in neutral French oak barrels for 16 months and offers a creamy texture from the extended lees aging along with a bright mineral finish that lasts for several minutes. It is all declassified Four Winds Vineyard fruit comprised of 1/3 Dijon clone and 2/3 Wente clone. (The 2013 release saw no Wente as this later-ripening variety was negatively affected by the rain.) A remarkable offering, as always, that would pair well with a range of foods or be enjoyable on its own to sip and ponder.” -Suzanne

Winery note “Comprised of Wente and Dijon clones from Four Winds Vineyard this wine demonstrates the undeniable pedigree and personality of this fantastic high elevation and old vine site. Light straw with a hint of green combine with pristine clarity to present this wonderful Chardonnay. The aromatics include slate, anise and pear, with a trace amount of barrel toast. Buoyant acidity frames a lean palate beaming with citrus, mineral and white peach, along with background sweetness provided by lees contact. Clarity and precision highlight this refreshing and versatile Chardonnay.”

Wine of the Day: JB Becker Martinsthaler Rodchen Spatlese Trocken 1990 5-3-16

JB Becker Martinsthaler Rodchen Spatlese Trocken 1990 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $49 special

My, how time flies! Much as I don’t want to make anyone feel old, I’d like to highlight the fact that Milli Vanilli were the biggest thing in the world at the time this wine was made. While the R&B duo from West Germany may have soared –peaked-crashed-and-burned, Hans-Joseph Becker from the Rheingau has only now begun to enjoy the spotlight. At 70!

I drew out Sunday night’s dinner with little tipples from this old bottle – a dark brown, star-stamped bottle from which copper-gold splashed out brilliantly. In the decanter, the wine caught candlelight in so gorgeous a way I literally sighed. Then came drinking! At once, a sense of energy and integration, yet I could easily sift through the layers to reveal essences which had been tucked away across the past quarter-century. Over time, orange rind and sea mist gave way to lime, rain-soaked stones, and a delicate hint of petrol. I’d describe it as charming, deliberate, and tangible; as fun as it is serious.

Mr. Becker farms organically and prefers native yeast fermentation, but seems to make no fuss of either. Fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks in order to achieve it quickly and steadily; Becker then racks the wine into barrel for at least two years of aging. Many bottlings are held back for years and years and years. As my comrades at Vom Boden – Becker’s US importer – phrase it, “go as quick as you can; then slam on the brakes and wait out all the others.” Not unlike Milli Vanilli, you could say, except that the voice is entirely Becker’s own.

– Tyler

Wine of the Day: Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay 2013 4-27-16

Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $33 special

Tasted blind in a flight with four white Burgundies, the Goodfellow Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay held its own. It showed a moderately restrained nose with notes of fresh cream, toasted barley and autumn leaves with a little something else that is hard to define. The savory character showed on the palate as well, with notes of toasted nuts and dried ginger. There was ample acidity that was balanced – suggesting it would make a good wine to drink with food. It offers excellent value and, though distinctive, it certainly gave the Burgundies a run for their money.

Once bottled under the Matello label, the Richard’s Cuvee is all dry-farmed grapes from the Whistling Ridge Vineyard. The vineyard, in the Ribbon Ridge, is composed of shallow sedimentary soil. This Chardonnay is their tribute to Meursault wine. Marcus Goodfellow is migrating a number of his bottlings to his family’s name. -Suzanne

Wine of the Day: Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco 2013 4-26-16

Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2013 ($29.95) Buy Now: $26 special

Why we love it: Aromas, for one. Uniqueness and transparency, too. A perfect marriage of two truly different grapes. I’ve often sold it on the basis of it being the nicest-smelling wine I’ve ever had. Tropical, bright, and bewilderingly fresh. Great accompaniment to simple foods or as a skeleton key during a potluck dinner. A yardstick effort for natural wine and for Sicily-at-large. Sheesh! -Tyler

Vinopolnote: A bright, fresh, and aromatic blend of Albanello – native to the Ragusa area near Vittoria – and Zibbibo – otherwise known as Muscat de Alexandria – one of the oldest genetically unmodified varietals still in existence.

Wine of the Day: Karthauserhof Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett 2012 4-22-16

Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2012 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $29 special

Why we love it: For being unapologetically German Riesling-y and, well, just fun to drink. Had a bottle open for the better part of a week and it kept getting better. Everything that should be “there” is – the quince, citrus, petrol, citrus, and lush-though-controlled residual sugars. Good now, and even better in the coming months. Who am I kidding? Years. – Tyler

Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “Schieferkristall refers to the Kabinett-styled wines at the Estate (the reference to Kabinett is pushed to the back label). A whiff of wild yeasts gives quickly way to a very attractive and floral bouquet of rose-water, grapefruit and mint. The round and fruity feel from the residual sugar (20 g/l) is nicely balanced by some zesty acidity and a pure and spicy feel in the long finish. This is a deliciously fresh and lively off-dry Riesling made with a small 9.5% of alchohol. 2014-2020”