Quintessa – Illumination 2018 – North Coast, California

Quintessa – Illumination 2018 – North Coast, California

(61% Napa and 39% Sonoma) The nose is fruity and offers power / intensity. It reveals notes of lemon, zest and small notes of kumquat associated with fine touches of ripe pear, Brugnon as well as discreet hints of exotic fruits and white pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a fine acidulous frame,…

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MerSoleil – Silver Chardonnay 2017 – Monterey County, California

MerSoleil – Silver Chardonnay 2017 – Monterey County, California

The nose is fruity and offers minerality and a very fine intensity. It reveals notes of fresh quince, fresh zests and small notes of crunchy nectar associated with fine touches of small yellow fruits and hints of flowers. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/finely acidulous frame. In the mouth this wine expresses…

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Melka – Mekerra 2016, Block 7 – Knights Valley, Sonoma

Melka – Mekerra 2016, Block 7 – Knights Valley, Sonoma

The nose is fruity, precise, straight and offers a small straightness. It reveals notes of quince, papaya and small notes of crunchy Mirabelle associated with fine touches of yellow flowers/varietal and very fine hints of citrus. The mouth offers a beautiful definition, a beautiful tension, a vine acidulous frame as well as a beautiful finesse…

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SpottsWoode – Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – California

SpottsWoode – Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – California

The nose is fruity and offers elegance and a certain deepness. It reveals notes of fresh zests, fresh apple skin and small notes of fresh peach associated with fine touches of fresh citrus and very fine hints of quenette/papaya. The mouth is fruity, fresh, elegant and offers a beautiful acidulous frame, finesse as well as…

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AXR – Chardonnay 2017, Ritchie Vineyard – Russian River Valley, Sonoma

AXR – Chardonnay 2017, Ritchie Vineyard – Russian River Valley, Sonoma

The nose is fresh, fruity and offers minerality and a good definition. It reveals notes of yellow apple, ripe Mirabelle plum and small notes of quince associated with discreet hints of flowers as well as fine hints of brioche and bee wax. The mouth is fresh, fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers a beautiful definition, a…

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Herman J. Wiemer Dry Riesling 2015 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

Herman J. Wiemer Dry Riesling 2015 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

This dry Riesling has an abundant and completely aromatic expression. The aromas include ripe & dense apples, pears, perfumed white blossoms and signature minerality. The palate is completely dry, but there’s some illusion of sweetness from the luscious character of the stone-fruits flavors. Even with this depth of taste, the wine is still edgy thanks to its cool-climate vibrant acidity….

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Herman J. Wiemer HJW Vineyard Riesling 2016 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

Herman J. Wiemer HJW Vineyard Riesling 2016 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

The HJW Riesling comes from a cooler site with shallow soils. The nose is generous in intensity and bold. You can smell concentrated, very ripe peaches & citrus fruits, almost candied. The palate showcases a lean body, but a vibrant crispness and an appealing balance with a focus on the mineral character. The slight sweetness brings the body to a…

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Fox Run Vineyards Semi-Dry Riesling 2016 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

Fox Run Vineyards Semi-Dry Riesling 2016 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

Golden in color, this semi-dry Riesling has a blossomed expres-sion with aromas of orchard fruits as well as an exotic touch of pineapple, papaya and melons. Rich and mellow, the palate mirrors the nose in terms of aromas, but with a generous and concentrated character. It’s crisp even with the weight of the off-dry almost medium-dry sweetness and full-body….

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Fox Run Vineyards Dry Riesling 2015 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

Fox Run Vineyards Dry Riesling 2015 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

It’s very pale in color, but not in aromas. The Fox Run Dry Ries-ling 2015 is pure, clean and linear. Its nose has a high intensity with crush stones, lemon & grapefruit aromas. The palate offers a great deal of acidity, of tension, but with some texture also. The grippy peach & apricot skins feeling might be brief…

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Fox Run Vineyards Chardonnay, Doyle family 2016 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

Fox Run Vineyards Chardonnay, Doyle family 2016 Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

The wine is light as a feather on the nose, unoaked, zesty mostly but also with limited, subtle aromas of melons and Bergamot. The palate, even if still fine, has more precise flavors, tangerine and citrus fruits dominate. It shows simplicity, no oak, lees nor MLF. Beside a mild creamy texture and moderate alcohol, it’s…

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