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GABRIELE RAUSSE Cabernet Franc 2015 Rockingham County, Virginia 90 Points | “Highly Recommended” Veteran Virginia Vintner Gabriele Rausse’s winery is located in the heart of the Monticello American Viticultural Area, just south of Charlottesville, but he sourced … Continue reading
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The Utiel-Requena D.O. in the Province of Valencia, in eastern Spain, ranks among our top wine discoveries of 2017. Spanish wine, food, wine, and travel expert April Cullom introduced us to the region and its wines at a tasting she … Continue reading
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Troon Vineyard in Southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley has been doing some intriguing things with Vermentino over the past several vintages. Their 2014 Blue Label Longue Carabine (NWR 92 Points) featured Vermentino co-fermented with Viognier and blended with a co-ferment of Marsanne … Continue reading
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MUSE VINEYARDS Clio 2012 Shenandoah Valley, Virginia 92 Points | “Highly Recommended” 2012 is the fourth vintage bottling of Muse Vineyards’ flagship Bordeaux varietal blend, “Clio,” and a composition of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and … Continue reading
FRICK Grenache Blanc 2013
Estate Owl Hill Vineyard
Dry Creek Valley, California
92 Points | “Highly Recommended”
Frick Winery’s Grenache Blanc is, vintage after vintage, a thing of beauty and rarity. There are only four acres of Grenache Blanc, a traditional white Rhone variety, planted in Sonoma County, all-told (as opposed to over 15,000 acres of Chardonnay), and we are fortunate that Bill Frick has some of those vines planted to his rocky, south-facing Owl Hill Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. Its color is a deeply pigmented golden yellow — stunning in the glass. Aromas are effusive, with suggestions of star fruit, lemon verbena, and macadamia nut; and flavors are sumptuous, with notes of tropical fruit basket, Bananas Foster, and tarragon — all layered with impressions of citrus zest, wet stone, and cardamom over a velvety, viscous finish. The wine is dry, full-bodied, and fleshy on the palate, with quenching acidity. It was fermented and aged in 45% in new oak barrels and 55% stainless steel, sur lie.
This wine is truly a charmer; enjoy it now through 2020 with any variety of lighter, even spicy, fare, including seafood of all types, fresh fruit salad, Thai curries, spring rolls, and grilled fruits and vegetables.
Frick’s 2014 Grenache Blanc is now available, as well, and we look forward to tasting it and sharing our impressions. Our mouths are watering in anticipation.
14.9% ABV | 122 Cases Produced | $26
Availability: www.frickwinery.com
~ Scott Hendley
MUSE VINEYARDS Thalia 2015
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
90 Points | “Highly Recommended”
A blend of Marsanne (50%), Roussanne (40%), and Viognier (10%), the 2015 Thalia is aromatically complex and fresh on the palate, with velvety viscosity and quenching acidity. Aromas of apricot nectar, roasted hazelnut, and florals transition to flavors of baked pear, brioche, and fresh tarragon — all layered with impressions of orange peel and butterscotch over a honeyed finish. It is dry and medium-bodied with a creamy texture — thanks to full malolactic (secondary) fermentation in new and neutral French oak barrels. It is a Virginia-grown Rhone varietal blend that holds its own against like-priced counterparts from France and California. A refreshing and food-friendly white to drink now and over the next several years.
Recommended Food Pairings: Fresh seafood; roasted poultry; cream-based dishes; Asian cuisine; Indian curries; fall and winter squash dishes; fruit tarts.
12.6% ABV | 222 Cases Produced | $24
To read our original introduction to Muse Vineyards, click on the link: “Raising the Bar for Winemaking in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.”
For more information on Muse Vineyards 2015 Thalia and its availability, visit them virtually at www.musevineyards.com.
— Scott Hendley
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A revelation as to the promises of grape growing and winemaking in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley came to us in 2015, when we visited Muse Vineyards in the town of Woodstock, in historic Shenandoah County, and tasted their Virginia Governor’s Cup-winning … Continue reading
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88 Points | “Recommended” And now for something completely different…but first, a little reminder: white wines are customarily made by pressing juice from the skins following crush, and then fermenting that juice into wine without skin contact. Skins, therefore, play … Continue reading
CROSSKEYS VINEYARDS Touriga 2015
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
87 Points | “Recommended”
Crafted from the Portuguese variety Touriga Nacional (a common blending grape in Port wine), this plump, medium-bodied red offers savory aromas and flavors of black fruit, tobacco, nutmeg, and earthy minerality over a velvety palate. Oak (9 months) and tannins are well integrated, with mild acidity. A solid showing for this variety in Virginia. Fresh, appealing, and food versatile. Drink now through 2022.
12.5% ABV | 200 Cases Produced | $35
Availability: www.crosskeysvineyards.com
–Scott Hendley
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Troon Vineyard continues to up the ante in the realm of natural winegrowing and winemaking. The winery, located in the Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon, is committed to environmentally sustainable viticultural practices, minimally intrusive winemaking techniques, and the selection of … Continue reading
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Coming on the heels of the exemplary 2012 and 2013 vintages, 2014 yielded yet another terrific season for grape growing and winemaking in California — and it so happened to be the third consecutive year of severe drought throughout the … Continue reading
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Vina Robles founder/proprietor Hans Nef and Managing Partner Hans — R. Michel, both natives of Switzerland, operate their Paso Robles winery according to one essential maxim: “European Inspiration — California Character.” Two of their recent release wines — estate Cabernet Sauvignon and … Continue reading
