Wine Reviews: California New Releases

I’m back this week with another round of new California releases, and this report has some goodies.

Spring Mountain’s Smith-Madrone has long made incredible, age-worthy, unique wines, and their new Riesling and Cabernet deliver oodles of goodness for not much money. Lake County’s Steele Wines makes more appearances here, which I welcome. Lake County doesn’t get a lot of love, but Jed Steele has been making wine there for many decades, and these wines continue to offer lots of quality and value.

Mi Sueño’s Syrah and Cab, and a few other wines, round out this report. These bottles were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2016 Smith-Madrone Riesling - California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
SRP: $34
Medium yellow color. So fresh on the nose, which pops with peaches, limes, pineapple, mixed with white flowers, hay, honey, crushed shells and sea spray. Brisk and focused on the palate with racy acidity, yet plenty of depth in texture. Tastes near dry, but shows lots of richness. Pure lime and papaya fruit mixed with mountain stream, honey and some crushed shells. This is another excellent Riesling from Smith-Madrone, one that should age beautifully. Crazy value. 12.8% alcohol, 0.68% residual sugar. (93 points)

2018 Cline Cellars Pinot Gris - California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
SRP: $15
Pale gold color with a slight orange tint. A burst of peach nectar, pineapple and lime on the nose, with orange blossom, honeysuckle, baby’s breath. Plush but crisp on the palate with fresh cantaloupe, white peaches and melon, drizzled in lime. Bright but not light, it’s juicy and quite complex with notes of white flowers, sea salt, honey, spiced white tea. Solid value — this is good Pinot Gris. (88 points)

2017 Oak Farm Vineyards Barbera - California, Central Valley, Lodi
SRP: $25
Deep purple color. Nose pops with bold black cherries and saucy plums, and I’m loving the mesquite, barbecue brisket, pepper, anise, some toffee. Full-bodied on the palate with chewy tannins, yet it shows some moderating acidity. Notes of pepper, sweet cocoa, anise cookie, saucy and forward yet it has some freshness that I find really attractive. Beefy, saucy, earthy, floral tones abound. Impressive Lodi Barbera! Most of the fruit comes from their estate vineyard in Mokelumne River, this also includes some Petite Sirah. Aged in French, American and Russian oak (about ¼ new) for 20 months. (89 points)

2016 The Paring Red Wine - California
SRP: $25
Dark purple color. Aromas of sweet black cherries, roasted figs, blueberry, topped in root beer, sweet cocoa and anise. Full-bodied on the palate, smooth tannins, medium/low acidity. This is a burly, wintry night kind of wine with extracted blueberry, roasted fig and plum cake. Lots of cedar, cocoa, vanilla, some charcoal and earthy tones. Bold but very tasty. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 22 months in 55% new French oak. (88 points)

2017 Steele Wines Barbera Shooting Star - California, North Coast, Lake County
SRP: $15
Deep purple color. Smells like plum cake, cola, coffee, anise cookie and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and rich, smooth, light tannins, yet the moderate acidity adds a nice, needed freshness, and the wine is surprisingly balanced. Plums, black cherries, roasted figs, mixed with coffee, earth, anise and chocolate notes. A big wine, but well-made. From the Dorn Vineyard, aged in old American and Hungarian oak for nine months. A lot of quality and value here. (88 points)

2017 Steele Wines Merlot Shooting Star - California, North Coast, Lake County
SRP: $15
Medium ruby color. Smells of tart cherries, raspberry jam, red currants, with smoky earth, tobacco and mint notes. Medium/full-bodied, smooth and velvety tannins, moderating acidity, it’s all held together quite well, sporting cherries, raspberries and saucy plums. Notes of violets, clay, earth and coffee and some complexity. Saucy yet vibrant, with oak and coffee woven in well. Solid bargain here. (87 points)

2017 Steele Wines Syrah Writer's Block - California, North Coast, Lake County
SRP: $18
Bright purple color. This wine pops with aromas of spicy pepper, mesquite grill, saddle leather, with black cherries and blueberries. Velvety tannins on the palate, this is smooth and quite refreshing, with lively acidity. Plummy, blueberry fruit, mixed with a good dose of black olives, savory grilling spices, coffee and black tea. This is fresh and fun, but shows a lot of complexity and depth. Solid value Syrah here from Steele. From Cana Springs Vineyard in Lake County, this is aged 12 months in 15% new French, American and Hungarian oak. (88 points)

2017 Steele Wines Cabernet Franc Writer's Block - California, North Coast, Lake County
SRP: $18
Medium ruby color. The nose shows tangy cherries, strawberries, red currants, along with inviting, spicy elements of tobacco, black olive, violets – really nice. Medium/full-bodied but poised with velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Tangy black cherries and red currants, blended with violets, clove, pepper, olive. Rounded, nuanced, accessible, yet a lot of complexity for a wine at this price point. Sourced from Shannon Ridge Vineyards in High Valley, aged 15 months in hybrid French and American oak barrels. (89 points)

2017 Steele Wines Malbec Writer's Block - California, North Coast, Lake County
SRP: $18
Deep ruby color. Fresh and inviting nose, with red plums, raspberries, black cherries, along with barbecue sauce, black pepper, anise and sweet tea. Smooth and velvety on the palate, fresh acidity, fun black cherry and raspberry jam fruit. Charcoal, cola, coffee, mint and vanilla elements blend together well. Ripe and juicy, but lovely freshness as well. Aged 12 months in 15% new American and Hungarian oak. (88 points)

2016 Steele Wines Merlot Stymie Founder's Reserve - California, North Coast, Lake County
SRP: $42
Deep purple color. The aromas of plummy and rich with roasted figs, cherry sauce, dark earth, graphite, pencil shavings. Suave, medium acidity keeps the palate fresh, zippy but plump with moderate/light tannins. Rich cherries and dark plums, laced with smoky earth, mint chocolate chip, leather and violets. Suave, balanced, vibrant, for near-term drinking but there’s a lot going on here. From a gravelly bench vineyard overlooking the Big Valley of Lake County, aged 22 months in 20% new French and American oak. (89 points)

2016 Steele Wines Small Batch Bourbon Barrel Red - California, North Coast, Lake County
SRP: $25
Bright purple color. Smells of raspberry jam, plum cake, violets, cocoa, vanilla coffee. Full-bodied with chewy tannins, medium acidity helps keep it fresh. Tangy plums, sweet black cherries, the fruit is mixed with loamy earth, tobacco, black olive, with smoky oak and vanilla. Delicious, built well, shows some good complexity. Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Barbera aged 120 days in bourbon barrels. (87 points)

2015 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon - California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
SRP: $52
Light purple color. Wow, the aromas pop with juicy yet crunchy red and black currants, plum skins, along with earthy, rocky tones, graphite, coffee and violets. Full but balanced so nicely on the palate. Solid tannic structure for aging, vibrant acidity, the mouthfeel sets the stage for smooth black cherries and tart red currants. Fruit is laced with violets, clove, graphite, tobacco, and there are lots of earthy, savory tones that need years to fully show themselves. Gorgeous concentration, yet balanced and lively. Includes 16% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in 65% new French oak. For my palate, this is one of the most insane bargains in Napa Cabernet. I’m so stoked this wine exists. (94 points)

2016 Mi Sueño Syrah - California, Napa Valley, Coombsville
SRP: $55
Deep, extracted purple color. Nose shows a dense combination of blueberry and blackberry, with more open, floral and spice tones (violets, cracked pepper, bay leaf), with some vanilla and coffee. Full-bodied with solid grip, but the tannins show smooth edges, medium acidity. The fruit is deep and bold but shows a crunchy edge, blueberry and blackberry. Notes of vanilla, cigar shop, black pepper and sweet barbecue sauce add complexity, with notes of vanilla and espresso woven in well. Delicious now, but this needs four years or so to show its best. 100% Syrah aged 20 months in 50% new French oak. (90 points)

2016 Mi Sueño Cabernet Sauvignon Lynn’s Vineyard - California, Napa Valley
SRP: $95
Deep, dark purple color. Gobs of crushed berries on the nose (blackberry, blueberry), topped in smoky earth, coffee, tar, anise and magic marker. Full and saucy on the palate with a nice backbone, but rounded tannins, medium/low acidity. Big, but it holds itself well, with plenty of blackberry, blueberry and roasted fig fruit. Lots of charcoal smoke, graphite, coffee grounds, dark chocolate and violet elements as well. This could use two to three years to integrate. All Cabernet, aged 20 months in 65% new French oak. (90 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

International Grab Bag: New Releases Under $30

This week, I’ve got a round-up of recent samples from all over, all of which cost less than $30.

William Fèvre, known for ethereal Premier and Grand Cru Chablis, has an entry-level new release that offers a bit of everything I look for in a Chablis, and it’s a really solid buy at $25.

M. Chapoutier’s Domaine de Bila-Haut brand, always reliably good for the money, delivers again with their L'Esquerda red blend, a serious wine that brings a lot of complexity and aging potential.

Included in this report are a handful of wines from all over Italy (Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont), all of which cost $30 or less.

Lastly, I tasted two whites and a pink from the Spanish region of Cariñena, all of which cost less than $15. It’s still summer, and these three wines pack a whole lot of goodness for their price points. Oh, and a “Game of Thrones” branded Pinot Noir, because… well…

All of these wines were received as samples and tasted sighted.

2017 William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux SEA Limited Edition - France, Burgundy, Chablis
SRP: $25
Light yellow color. Aromas of white peaches, lemons, honeysuckle and seashells. Medium-bodied on the palate with a brisk and fresh appeal and plenty of acidity. Lemon curd and orange peel mix nicely with saline, seashells and ocean spray notes, with some dusty minerals that linger onto the finish. A lot of depth for an entry-level Chablis at this price point. (89 points)

2016 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Domaine de Bila-Haut L'Esquerda - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages
SRP: $25
Deep purple color. Dark and saucy black currants, juicy black cherries, along with complex elements roasted herbs, cracked black pepper, leather, cocoa. Plump and juicy with medium tannins and medium-low acidity. Black cherries, black currants, roasted fig, the fruit mixes with spicy black pepper, sage, grilled rosemary, with deeper notes of dark chocolate, espresso, vanilla and scorches earth. Put together so well, this should age nicely, too, but ready to go now. Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from a single vineyard, 40- to 60-year-old vines. (90 points)

N.V. La Marca Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore Luminore - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Congliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore
SRP: $25
Bursting nose of fresh lemons and limes, dusty chalk, notes of dandelion and baby’s breath. On the palate this is crisp and quite dry, light-bodied but texturally interesting. Lemon-lime, some melon peel, with notes of white flowers, cut flower stems, chalk dusty. Fresh and bright and a lot of fun. A step-up Prosecco that is not to be dismissed. (88 points)

2016 Pieropan Soave Classico - Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
SRP: $20
Rich yellow color. Aromas of bruised yellow apples, creamy peach, with honeybutter, some nutty-salty notes. Plump texture on the palate with bright acidity on a medium-bodied frame. Apples and peaches play well off of floral perfume, whipped butter, notes of salt and almond. A bit lacking on the finish, but fun and tasty stuff. 85 Garganega and 15% Trebbiao. (86 points)

2016 Jermann Vinnaioli Pinot Grigio - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
SRP: $30
Medium yellow color. Steely and salty aromas with grapefruit, green apples, honeysuckle and dandelion. Brisk and fresh, light and breezy, but some interesting creamy texture and minerality. Yellow and green apples mixed with floral perfume, magnolia flowers and honeysuckle. Fresh and fun, but it has a lot more skill and punching power than many Pinot Grigios from this region. Sourced from two vineyards in Collio. (90 points)

2015 Argiano Non Confunditur Toscana - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
SRP: $23
Bright ruby color. Nose shows tart raspberries, red currant jam, spicy strawberries, with notes of tobacco leaf, rose petal and spicy pepper. On the palate, this is a medium/full-bodied wine with quite smooth tannins and moderate acidity. Flavors of tart red currant and raspberry mix with black pepper, spicy tobacco and scorched earth. Simple, fun, pleasant. Cabernet, Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah. (87 points)

2017 Rocca di Montemassi Renaissance Rosé - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
SRP: $17
Very pale copper color. Smells of white cherries, watermelon, along with thistle, baby’s breath, a wild green herb and honeysuckle component that I find interesting, too. Medium-bodied, fresh and zippy but a pleasant plumpness on the palate, too. White cherries and wild strawberries mix with bright white flowers, wild green herbs and a spicy herbal tea note. Fresh, inviting, but showing complexity, too. A blend of Sangiovese and Syrah from Maremma. (88 points)

2014 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese - Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT
SRP: $23
Rich purple color. I get aromas of roasted figs and plum sauce, with violets, vanilla and coffee grounds. Rich and plush on the palate with velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Flavors of roasted fig, black currant jam, topped in anise, espresso, black pepper and tobacco. Full, warm and rich, but also tangy. A blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Sangiovese, this is a solid value for this style and price. (88 points)  

2016 Renato Ratti Barbera d'Alba Battaglione - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba
SRP: $20
Rich purple color. Smoky aromas of charcoal, anise and graphite on top of generous black cherries and dark plums. Fresh and fleshy on the palate, fun stuff with medium acidity and plush tannins, but this shows a bit of complexity too. Black cherries, tart and crunchy red currants and plums mix with anise, violets, smoky tobacco, cinnamon. Fun and easy-drinking but not simple, this opens up nicely with some air. (88 points)

2016 Seven Kingdoms Wines Pinot Noir Game of Thrones - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
SRP: $20
Pretty, deep ruby color. Aromas of strawberries, bright cherries, cola, some chai tea and cedar. Juicy and full with smooth tannins and medium acidity. Cherries and red currant jam flaors mix with some sweet tobacco and cedar. Big and boastful but shows some balance as well. A fun Pinot for early drinking. (86 points)

2016 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Agoston Viura & Chardonnay - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $9
Very pale color. Steel and bright on the nose with white flowers, lime pit, lemon wedges and sea salt. Zesty and bright on the palate on an easy-drinking frame with flavors of lemon-lime and green apple. Floral perfume, cucumber, white pepper flavors. Simple, fresh, fun summer sipper. (85 points)

2017 Grandes Vinos y Viñedos Corona de Aragón Garnacha Blanca - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $9
Pale straw color. Aromas of peaches, limes, oranges and lychee, topped with sea salt and honeysuckle. Precise and fresh on the palate with fun stony-salty qualities. Lemon, white peach and oranges mixed with floral perfume and a steel, zesty appeal. Lots of fun, showing some good complexity at this price point. (87 points)

2016 Bodegas San Valero Garnacha Rosado Origium - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $15
Almost neon cherry color in the glass. Loving the spicy aromatics of green herbs, white pepper, nettle, on top of watermelon, red cherries and pomegranate. Bright and crisp but super fruit, as the watermelon, raspberry and pomegranate fruit offer a lot to love. Stays fresh, with lots of spicy elements like herbal tea, nettle, rose hips. Delicious, fun, lots going on for the price. (88 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Here Come the Rosés! 16 Pink Wines Reviewed

For American wine-lovers, Spring and Summer are prime time for pink wine.

Don’t get me wrong, I love rosé year round. I’ve actually developed a tradition of opening a good rosé on the first big snowstorm of the winter, and it’s a lot of fun. But the shelves of your local wine shop are surely piling up with various pink wines from all over the world, so you should have plenty of options to choose from.

I’ve been receiving lots of rosé wines, so I gathered some up and tasted through them, hoping to find some really good values to share. (Spoiler alert: I did.)

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted. It’s not even May yet, so I’m sure I’ll have another round of rosé reviews in the next two months or so. (Literally as I was writing this, I received a knock on the door with, drumroll, more rosé samples to sign for.) If there’s a bubble to burst in American consumers’ love for the pink, I’m not sure we’re there yet.

Check out these rosé wines from around the world below!

N.V. Bruno Paillard Champagne Extra-Brut Rosé Première Cuvée - France, Champagne

SRP: $70

Pale copper color. Aromas of chalk dust, white flowers, rose petals, red apple peel, bread dough. Brisk and tangy on the palate, tart and brisk but lots of depth, with flavors of white cherries, wild strawberries, red apple peel. Blazing streak of minerals in this wine, with chalk dust, sea salt, mixed with toasted baguette and lots of flowers. What a tangy and bright wine, but lovely textural depth as well. Mostly Pinot Noir, this is a blend of 25 vintages going back to 1985. (92 points)

2017 Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Rosé Samorëns - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

SRP: $15

Light rose color. Smells of fresh white peaches, strawberries, nettle and roses. Crisp and bright but plenty of textural depth. Peaches and watermelon, drizzled in lime, and topped with honeysuckle, dandelion, white tea. Notes of mineral and chalk dust on the finish. Delicious but shows significant complexity. (88 points)

2017 Très Chic Rosé - France, Sud de France

SRP: $17

Pale strawberry color. Nose of strawberries, white cherries, very perfumed with notes of spicy white floral tones. On the palate, this is medium-bodied with bright acidity and juicy texture. Watermelon, white cherries, strawberries, along with bright white and red flowers. Floral, juicy, fresh, solid for the price, surprisingly so. Grenache and Cinsault. (87 points)

2017 Château de Berne Rosé Urban Provence - France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

SRP: $23

Light pink/copper color. Bursts with aromas of peaches, cantaloupe melon, ruby red grapefruit, along with roses, lilies and wet stones. Medium-bodied, richly textured, with bright acidity. Pineapple, peaches and tangy limes blend well with plenty of spicy/herbal elements (nettle, raspberry leaf, white pepper). Crisp but fruity, fun but the complexity shows through. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. (88 points)

2017 Château de Berne Rosé Inspiration - France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

SRP: $20

Pale pink color. Bursting aromas of passion fruit, strawberries and peaches, topped in roses, spicy nettle and clover. Zesty acidity frames the palate nicely but plump fruit abounds (peaches, strawberries, lemons). Spicy herbal notes, deep floral tones, along with some crust mineral and chalky elements. Lovely Provence pink. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. (89 points)

2017 Château de Berne Rosé Emotion - France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

SRP: $16

Very pale copper color, like the inside of a grapefruit rind. So fresh and spicy on the nose, with nettle, dandelion, white pepper and honeysuckle, on top of plump peach and green melon. Crisp acidity, plush texture, lots of fruit (white cherry, lemon, peach) laced with white pepper and dandelion. Fresh, fruity, spicy, nice stuff for the price. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. (87 points)

2017 Kim Crawford Rosé Hawkes Bay - New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

SRP: $18

Bright watermelon color. Fresh and floral with watermelon, white cherries, strawberries, with white pepper, chalk dust, red gummy candies and roses. Bright texture, fresh and juicy texture, a zesty and fresh attitude with juicy strawberries, watermelon, nectarine. Notes of white pepper, cut flower stems, cucumber slices and gummy candy, yet dry and fresh. Fun, high-quality, Merlot rosé. (88 points)

2017 Hearst Ranch Winery Rosé Julia - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

SRP: $22

Deep copper color. Very floral on the nose with roses, honeysuckle, dandelion, peaches and red apples. Crisp acidity on a medium-bodied frame, but plenty of rich texture here, and white peaches, raspberry, white cherries. Lots of flowers packed in here (roses, honeysuckle, wild clover), along with some dusty mineral tones. Goes down so easily despite significant complexity. A Paso kitchen sink blend of Syrah, Malbec, Tempranillo, Petit Vedot, Grenache, Petite Sirah. (89 points)

2017 Booker Vineyard Pink - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

SRP: $50

By far the darkest “pink” wine in this report, this looks like melted raspberry cough drops in color. The nose has a lot to show: roses, raspberries, spiced cranberry sauce, cinnamon. Plump texture on the palate (14% alcohol) but the acidity moderates everything nicely. Raspberries, currants, cranberry jam fruit, this is a dark-fruited wine with lots of roses, clove rooibos tea. So rich, and a total stylistic outlier here, but Booker pulls it off. It ain’t cheap, and it ain’t a lightweight, but it’s delicious and well made. Grenache with 8% Syrah, this spends five days on the skins. (90 points)

2017 Lucas & Lewellen Pinot Noir Rosé - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

SRP: $18

Light watermelon color. Spicy green herbs and bright roses mix with strawberry and white cherry. On the palate, this is crisp and bright with a smooth texture and tart strawberry fruit, some juicier cherry and yellow plum. A bright, spicy appeal with some floral and mineral undertones. Lively, crisp, delicious, attractive at its price point. Includes 6% Viognier. (88 points)

2017 Castello di Amorosa Pinot Noir Rosato Morning Dew Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

SRP: $39

Pale pink color. Bright aromas of lemons, limes, grapefruit, dandelion, lilies, and white pepper (a lot going on!). Tangy as hell, medium-bodied, with flavors of peaches, limes and nectarine. The mineral, quinine, limestone and chalk dust elements are really complex, and I get a mix of spicy white pepper, barley, oregano as well. Complex, zesty, fruity, mineral-driven, balanced so nicely. All Pinot Noir that is fermented and aged in concrete eggs. (90 points)

2017 Scotto Cellars Dry Sangiovese Rosé - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

SRP: $18

Medium watermelon color. Nose shows juicy cherries, strawberries along with lemon verbena, white pepper, and bubble gum. Plump texture with fresh acidity, lots of peaches, strawberries, white cherries, watermelon fruit. I also get notes of rose petals, bubble gum, white pepper, nettle. Fun, juicy, fruity, spicy, quite good stuff! 13% alcohol. (88 points)

2017 McCay Cellars Grenache Rosé - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

SRP: $18

Bright pink color. Aromas of crisp strawberries, white cherries, watermelon rind, nettle and rose petals. Medium-bodied (12.5% alcohol) with refreshing acidity and a good amount of depth. Tangy white cherries, honeydew, watermelons and peaches, richly fruity but laced with light, spicy, floral elements (which tea, honeysuckle, raspberry busy). Well-balanced, lovely stuff, per usual from McCay Cellars. (90 points)

2017 St. Amant Winery Barbera Rosé - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

SRP: $15

Bright cherry juice color. Bursting aromas of strawberry jam, candied apple peel, cinnamon sticks and rose petals. Bold and juicy on the palate with fresh acidity and plenty of raspberry and strawberry jam, candied apple. I get notes of spiced tea and cinnamon candies. Sweet fruit but nice and lively, too. (87 points)

2017 d'Art Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

SRP: $22

Bright raspberry color. Nose of crisp strawberries, roses, candied cherries, sweet red flowers, cinnamon sticks. Plump texture, this is a big pink wine at 14.8% with medium acidity and rich, vinous notes of red cherries and raspberries. I get notes of spiced, honeyed tea and sweet roses. This is a bold rosé that I’m thinking would pair nicely with a whole spread of charcuterie. (87 points)

2017 Long Shadows Wineries Julia's Dazzle Rosé Benches Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

SRP: $20

Pale copper color. Lots of peaches and apricots on the nose, with green apples, cotton candy and nettle. Juicy and full of fruit on the palate (apricot, ultra ripe white peaches), but the wine stays fresh and balanced. Notes of honeycomb, dandelion and nettle accentuate the fruit. A nice pink Pinot Gris. (87 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wine Reviews: New Releases from Italy

Most of the wines in this week’s report come from two Piedmont producers, Réva and Oddero. I found some seriously good and cellar-worthy Nebbiolos, and a host of other tasty Piedmont wines from these producers.

There are also two new releases from Sardinia included in this report. I apologize for the lack of suggested retail price information — these wines appear to be brand new to the U.S. market, so information is not yet available.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2016 Réva Langhe Bianco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

Bright yellow color. On the nose, I get lemon and lime pith, cut flower stems, dandelion, and interesting notes of green olives and chalk dust. Creamy texture but zesty acidity, with flavors of lemon curd, orange peel and green apple. Notes of sea salt, chalk dust and dandelion add complexity. Brisk but pretty with significant textural depth. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris fermented in old oak and stainless steel. (88 points)

2015 Réva Barbera d'Alba Superiore - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore

Light purple color. Smells of juicy dark fruit (gushing plums, black cherries) along with violets, cola, sweet coffee. Full-bodied and juicy with medium tannins and tart acidity. Plummy and packed with black cherries along with roses, violets, clove, some earthy-coffee notes. Delicious, fruity yet crisp and interesting. (89 points)

2016 Réva Dolcetto d'Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

Deep purple color. Nose of violets, dark chocolate, sweet dark plums and black cherries, with notes of sweet caramel. Medium+ bodied with some dusty tannins, but not harsh, and tart, mouth-watering acidity. Fun and fleshy with fresh black cherries, fig paste, plum cake, and I get some dark chocolate, sweet cola, violets and loamy soil. Tasty, tangy stuff. (88 points)

2015 Réva Nebbiolo d'Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Nebbiolo d'Alba

Light ruby color. Bright red currants, tart cranberry, some roses, needs air but opens to show more spiced tea and earthy tones. Solid structure from the tannins, refreshing acidity, I get lots of tart red and black currants. Notes of graphite, loamy soil, charred herbs, some dark coffee. It’s a good introductory Nebbiolo, not a ton of depth but it hits all the right spots and could definitely benefit from five years in the cellar to unwind. From vineyards in Montforte d’Alba, aged 12 months in Austrian oak. (88 points)

2013 Réva Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

Bright ruby color. Aromas of tart red and black cherries and currants, rose potpourri, tobacco, rosemary. Sturdy grip, bright acidity, tart black cherries and red currants but the fruit is deep and concentrated, too, and the balance is impressive. Tobacco, graphite, fallen leaves, clove, and there’s a dusty, intriguing mineral component. So young but impressive. (91 points)

2013 Réva Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

Deep ruby color. Rich, bold fruit aromas of black cherries, cherries plum skins, violets, loam, graphite, magic marker, anise. Full and grippy on the palate, this has serious oomph and bright acidity. Dense (of course this is very young) but it’s gorgeous, lots of plums, black cherries, tangy currants. Loaded with anise, loam, graphite, pepper, violets, leather. 15 years should do wonders. (92 points)

2013 Oddero Barolo Rocche di Castiglione - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

Bright ruby color. Nose shows dusty earth, tobacco and mushrooms on top of tangy cherries and plums, lots of red flowers and spiced tea. Seriously grippy and dry tannins on the palate with medium+ acidity, this is very young but not too harsh. Tangy red fruits (cherries, pomegranate, raspberry), loaded with black tea, roses, grilled mushrooms. Needs time but a vibrant young Barolo. (90 points)

2007 Oddero Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

Calm ruby color. Wow the aromas burst with tart black cherries and red currants, along with leather, grilled mushrooms, wet earth, roses, coffee grounds. Dusty but strong tannins with vibrant acidity, dry and tight and needs lots of time, but it shows lots of vibrant, tart red currants, black cherries, plum skins. Notes of mushroom, leather, black pepper, coffee, and a host of underlying mineral and earthy tones. This really opens up and gets more floral and mineral complexity. Don’t worry about forgetting this in cellar for five years. (93 points)

2016 Olianas Vermentino di Sardegna - Italy, Sardinia, Vermentino di Sardegna

Bright yellow color. So, so peachy and floral on the nose, along with freshly cut oranges and some sea salt. Brisk and salty but also juicy and waxy on the palate, with salted lime, orange peel and summer peaches. Notes of cut flower stems, green tea, chalk dust, this has impressive complexity and depth but is also super bright and easy to drink – solid stuff. (89 points)

2016 Olianas Cannonau di Sardegna - Italy, Sardinia, Cannonau di SardegnaBright ruby color. The nose pops with raspberries, strawberries, black cherries, along with spicy herbs, tobacco and sweet coffee. Juicy and accessible on the palate with easy-going tannins and medium acidity. This is packed with raspberries and bright strawberries, it’s a lighter style but super fruity. Nice kick of pepper, clove, cola. Food-friendly, fun, a great barbecue wine for sure. (88 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Palmina - Santa Barbara Producer's Delicious Interpretations of Classic Northern Italian Grapes

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

I’ve known about Palmina’s wines for a while, but this was the first time I tasted them. The verdict for me is abundantly clear: these wines are fascinating and delicious.

Based in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, Palmina has a singular and precise vision: to make site-specific California interpretations of some classic Northern Italian grapes. But these aren’t your burly, heavily-oaked Cal-Itals. Palmina’s wines share a characteristic elegance, refreshing acidity, and moderate alcohol content. These wines are made with native yeast fermentation and they’re aged in old oak barrels.

Steve Clifton kicked off Palmina in 1995. He started off only making red wines from sites around Santa Barbara County. He expanded to make a few whites, including a Pinot Grigio that may give people dismissive about this grape some cause to reconsider. I cannot remember a $20 California white wine I’ve gotten that excited about in a long time. For the floral, tropical-loving white wine drinker, the Malvasia Bianca is a must-try. Considering these wines all fall into the $20-$40 range, the amount of quality for the price is very impressive.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2015 Palmina Pinot Grigio - California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

SRP: $20

Pale lemon color. Gorgeous aromatics: orange, lemon, nettle, white flowers, a wonderful saline component — an impressive and complex display. Medium-light-bodied and the acidity is laser-like precise. A clean and zesty wine but plenty of flavor and a slightly creamy texture on the palate. Lemon curd, tangerine, honeydew and key lime fruit, all of it pure and vibrant, topped in floral, saline, mineral and spiced tea notes. This ain’t your auntie’s Pinot Grigio. Holy moly this is good! Fermented in stainless steel, 12.5% alcohol, this is a great by-the-case purchase for summer. (91 points)

2014 Palmina Malvasia Bianca Larner Vineyard - California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, Ballard Canyon

SRP: $26

Medium yellow color. Wow, this is such a floral/tropical medley on the nose: lychee, pineapple, kiwi, green table grapes, honeysuckle, wow — I feel like you could dab this on your neck like perfume and smell amazing for a few hours. Medium-bodied on the palate, the zesty acidity balanced out nicely against the plush tropical fruits. I get guava, pineapple, lychee and mango, but it’s drizzled with lime and ginger and topped with flowers, flowers and flowers, and some mountain stream minerals. I’m usually less a fan of this much tropical and floral intensity, but this is also a nervy, refreshing and profoundly easy-drinking wine. Delicious. A light 12% alcohol, this is aged 12 months in old French oak. One of the best non-Italian examples of this grape I’ve tasted.  (89 points)

2013 Palmina Barbera Walker Vineyard - California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, Los Olivos District

SRP: $30

Deep ruby color. Smells saucy and ripe with juicy cherries and plums along with sweet violets and basil as well. Medium-plus-bodied with dusty tannins and a tart and refreshing acidic presence. I love the sweet plums and cherries, the fruit is so ripe and juicy but crunchy. Elements of sweet clove, spicy pepper and sweet basil, the flavors are woven together so well. Very fresh and balanced, but I think this will unfold nicely with near-term cellaring. 14% alcohol, this wine spends 24 months in neutral French oak. (88 points)

2013 Palmina Dolcetto - California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

SRP: $20

Deep ruby color. Lovely sweet red and black cherry fruit on the nose along with cola, sweet herbs and cedar. Medium-bodied with smooth tannins and some moderate acidity. The red and black berry fruit is tart and crunchy but plenty ripe, and the fruit is doused in cola, vanilla, sweet black pepper glaze. Juicy but tart, fun but straight up delicious. (86 points)

2009 Palmina Nebbiolo - California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

SRP: $40

Bright ruby color. I love these aromas: black and red cherries, sour plums, along with some charcoal, smoke, chewing tobacco and balsamic notes – lovely complexity that opens up a lot with air. A real bright sense of acidity keeps this wine lip-smacking, but the tannins provide a sturdy structure, although they’re fined down around the edges and show no signs of harshness. Tart red plums and berries, the fruit is absolutely delicious, but the non-fruit flavors are firing: pipe tobacco, white pepper, roses, mossy soil. Really complex stuff here, and the flavors shift and evolve with air. I’ve only tasted a few really compelling American Nebbiolos, and this is one of them. Aged 42 months in French oak. (91 points)